Explorers and Explainers

Starry-Eyed Scientists

100

This Polish astronomer proposed that the Sun, not Earth, was at the center of the universe. 

(Who is Nicolaus Copernicus?)

200

He discovered that planets orbit the Sun in ellipses, not perfect circles. 

(Who is Johannes Kepler?)

300

This scientist was tried by the Catholic Church for supporting heliocentrism and using a telescope to study the stars. 

(Who is Galileo Galilei?)

400

He formulated the laws of motion and gravity, changing the way we understand the universe. 

(Who is Sir Isaac Newton?)

Ocean Raiders

100

This Portuguese prince promoted navigation and funded early voyages along the African coast. 

(Who is Henry the Navigator?)

200

He was the first European to find a sea route around Africa to India. 

(Who is Vasco da Gama?)

300

Sailing for Spain in 1492, he crossed the Atlantic and reached the Caribbean. 

(Who is Christopher Columbus?)

400

Although he died during his voyage, his expedition was the first to sail around the world. 

(Who is Ferdinand Magellan?)

Money, Money, Money

100

This economic theory held that a nation's power depended on its wealth and colonies. 

(What is mercantilism?)

200

This system began to grow during this period, where private individuals controlled trade for profit. 

(What is capitalism?)

300

Large farms in the Americas that grew cash crops like sugar and tobacco were called this. 

(What are plantations?)

400

This type of economy is based on supply and demand, not government control. 

(What is a market economy?)

Clash of Empires

100

This fleet was sent by Spain to invade England but was famously defeated in 1588.

(What is the Spanish Armada?)

200

The defeat of the Spanish Armada helped this country rise as a major sea power. 

(What is England?)

300

This English explorer raided Spanish ships and circumnavigated the globe. 

(Who is Sir Francis Drake?)

400

European powers competed for these overseas settlements to control trade and resources. 

(What are colonies?)

Around the World in 80 Days?

100

This word means to sail completely around the globe. 

(What is circumnavigate?)

200

This Portuguese explorer's expedition proved the world could be circumnavigated. 

(Who is Ferdinand Magellan?)

300

He accidentally "discovered" the Americas while searching for a new route to Asia. 

(Who is Christopher Columbus?)

400

Navigators during this period relied heavily on maps and observations of these two natural features. 

(What are the stars and the seas?)