Navigation & Technology
This instrument uses a magnetized needle to find direction at sea
Magnetic compass.
One main reason Europeans sought a direct sea route to Asia in the late 1400s
To trade for valuable goods (spices, silk) — find direct sea routes to Asia.
This Venetian traveler's writings increased European interest in Asia.
Marco Polo.
The line drawn by the pope to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.
The Line of Demarcation
The three main types of Spanish settlements established in New Spain (name all three).
Pueblos (towns), Missions (religious communities), and Presidios (forts)
A small, fast Portuguese ship with usually three sails used during the Age of Exploration.
Caravel
This economic theory focused on accumulating wealth (especially gold and silver) and guided European colonial policies.
Mercantilism
He rounded the Cape of Good Hope, opening the way for a sea route to Asia around Africa (voyage 1487–1488).
Bartolomeu Dias.
Name the 1494 agreement that moved the Line of Demarcation and divided newly claimed lands between Spain and Portugal.
Treaty of Tordesillas.
Spanish soldiers and explorers in the Americas during the 1500s were called this.
Conquistador
This device uses the positions of stars to help sailors find latitude.
Astrolabe
A widespread exchange after 1492 that moved crops, animals, people, and ideas between the Old World and the New World.
The Columbian Exchange.
This explorer was first to reach India by sea from Europe (voyage 1497–1498).
Vasco da Gama
Why was Portugal especially motivated to find ocean routes to Asia? Give the main geographic reason.
Portugal lacked easy access to Mediterranean trade routes (few Mediterranean ports) so it sought Atlantic sea routes around Africa.
A religious community set up to convert Native Americans and often to farm the land—what is this called?
Mission
These stones placed low in a ship helped improve balance and stability when cargo varied.
Ballast stones
One major effect of the Crusades on Europe that helped encourage later exploration
Trade between Europe and Asia increased and Europeans became more interested in reaching Asia.
He led the first expedition whose crew completed a circumnavigation of the globe (he died during the voyage).
Ferdinand Magellan (his crew completed the circumnavigation).
After objections from Portugal, the boundary established to divide Spanish and Portuguese claims was moved—what effect did this have on Spain’s and Portugal’s claims in the Americas? (Short answer)
It moved the boundary eastward, giving Portugal stronger claims to lands (including parts of Brazil) and leaving much of the Americas to Spain.
Define "tenant farmer" as used in colonial contexts.
A tenant farmer is a farmer who pays a landowner rent and works land owned by someone else.
Name two technological or knowledge improvements (one tool and one social/scientific development) that together made long ocean voyages safer and more successful.
Magnetic compass (tool) and improved ship design/navigation knowledge
Explain why Asian goods (like spices and silk) were expensive for Europeans before direct sea routes were established. (Two key reasons)
Because many middlemen handled the goods along long overland routes, and travel was difficult and risky, raising costs; plus limited direct supply routes increased rarity and price.
Describe the significance of Bartolomeu Dias’s voyage and Vasco da Gama’s voyage for European trade routes to Asia (short explanation).
Dias proved an ocean route around the southern tip of Africa was possible; Vasco da Gama successfully reached India by sea, opening direct trade between Europe and Asia.
Explain the purpose of the Line of Demarcation and the Treaty of Tordesillas in one clear sentence.
To divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal so each nation could claim and control different parts of the newly found territories.
Describe two reasons European nations, including Spain, sponsored ocean voyages in the 1400s and 1500s (one economic and one religious/political).
Economic: to find new trade routes and gain wealth; Religious/political: to spread Christianity and increase national power and land claims.