Age of Exploration
What are two effects trade brought to medieval Europe?
Increased travel and exploration, Commercial Revolution, shift from feudalism to capitalism, new goods, creation of cities/urban centers, promoted entrepreneurship
Why did Marco Polo leave Venice?
He and his family traveled to Asia to purchase scarce goods to bring back and trade.
Name one technological innovation in sailing or navigation invented in this time period? Explain its function.
magnetic compass, astrolabe, sextant, caravel
Select a NS signpost from the Columbian Exchange reading and explain the effects.
Answers vary. Must do more than identify what the numbers are - how do they reveal the author's argument? What do they emphasize?
How did the economic problem of scarcity affect the use of resources by the European people?
(Should have a claim and text detail/evidence that supports their response).
Define push factor or pull factor.
A push factor is a negative reason that makes someone want to leave where they are.
A pull factor is a positive reason that makes someone want to travel or move to a different place.
What was the "stone that burns like a log" that Polo discovered from Kublai Khan?
Polo brought back the block printing technique from China that Gutenberg incorporated in his design.
What were some negative effects of the Columbian Exchange?
Disease wiped out native peoples, native cultures/ideas were wiped out, slavery, etc.
What push and/or pull factors influence the migration of peoples?
Answers vary. (Should have a claim and text detail/evidence that supports their response).
What pull factors influenced Europeans after the Crusades?
Trade opportunities in the East or new job opportunities in cities.
How did Polos book impact other Europeans?
It encouraged them to travel more, trade more, and/or invent more efficient ways to navigate or travel.
Why could advanced warfare (cannons and harquebuses) be considered pull factors?
They offered protection to adventurers who explored new regions, so it promoted safer travels.
What were some benefits of the Columbian Exchange?
It made crops/livestock available worldwide, so people around the world had access to a variety of crops and animals. Populations eventually increased, and farming became easier. Ideas were spread across cultures. (Etc. about globalization)
What are some effects of tensions that occur when the economic goals of nations and/or people groups are in conflict?
Answers vary. (Should have a claim and text detail/evidence that supports their response).
How did the Commercial Revolution change the power structure in Europe?
It shifted power from the Nobility/Lords to the Merchant class and/or it shifted power from feudalism to capitalism and/or it shifted power from agriculture to trade/commerce
What were some challenges that Polo faced on his journey? (Name at least 2)
Gobi Desert, storms at sea, disease, captured as POW.
How did the printing press impact European society?
Answers will vary.
It spread ideas and stories that inspired others to travel/trade/explore, it spread ideas from the Renaissance that sparked learning and creativity, the spread of ideas/stories also inspired new innovations in technology, etc.
Answers vary - must include the author's argument.
Come up with an inquiry question that could apply to any or all of the 4 readings.
Answers vary. Inquiry questions should be open ended, deep thinking, and promote discussion.
Write a "Somebody-Wanted-But-So" about the Unit 1.1 Reading (Age of Exploration).
Answers will vary.
Example: Europeans wanted to gain back the Holy Land and launched the Crusades, but this also opened new routes for trade along the way, so Europe's economy shifted from Feudalism to Capitalism (Commercial Revolution).
How did the economic problem of scarcity affect the Polos?
It pulled them into Asia to meet the European market's demand for scarce goods.
What factors contributed to the changes and developments in science and technology?
The Renaissance created a renewed interest in learning that sparked creative thinking.
Or, the increased interest in trade/travel caused people to look for more ways to improve sailing and navigation technology.
How did the Europeans justify the Columbian Exchange? (Based on the reading)
Answers vary - must have text evidence.
Was the Columbian Exchange a good thing?
Their answer should have evidence from the text and consider how the illnesses brought over affected the native peoples, but also the long-term benefits of the exchange on the globalization of crops/livestock.