Trade and Routes
What was the main trade route between Asia and Europe?
The Silk Road
What country led early exploration along Africa?
Portugal
What is navigation?
The science of guiding ships
What part of the ship helps steer?
Stern rudder
What were European merchants willing to risk to make money?
Everything
Why did the Silk Road become dangerous?
The Mongol Empire collapsed
Where is Portugal located?
On Europe’s Atlantic coast
What tool shows direction using Earth’s magnetic poles?
Compass
Which country first used the stern rudder?
China
What did traders exchange besides goods?
Knowledge, tools, and ideas
Why did Europeans want new trade routes?
Goods became expensive and dangerous to get
Who encouraged exploration along Africa?
Prince Henry
What tool helps find latitude using stars?
Astrolabe
What type of ship did the Portuguese develop?
Caravel
What does “orient” mean when using a compass?
To position or find direction
Who controlled trade routes in the Middle East and charged high prices?
Arab merchants
Why did Portugal look for sea routes to Asia?
Land routes were controlled by enemies
What tool measures angles of stars very precisely?
Sextant
Why were caravels better than earlier ships?
They were faster, easier to steer, and carried more cargo
What did sailors use along with the astrolabe to find location?
Star charts
What is a merchant?
A person who buys and sells goods
What did Portugal gain from successful exploration?
Wealth and Power
Where did many navigation tools originally come from?
Other cultures (like Arab and Chinese civilizations)
Why could caravels travel closer to land?
They had flatter bottoms
What major historical period began because of new exploration?
The Age of Exploration