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The Age of Exploration: How European Civilization Transformed the World

The Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries marked a significant shift in European civilization, as knowledge of the world and its people improved rapidly through exploration and colonization. This period saw the development of new seafaring techniques, the discovery of new lands, and the spread of European customs and languages to distant regions.

The Shift in Understanding and Exploration

Most people in the 1400s thought the world was flat and had poor understanding of geography.

Knowledge of the world and its people improved rapidly as more ships set out to explore unknown regions.

European civilization was largely feudal and based on self-sufficient manners.

The Age of Exploration Begins

Portuguese and Spanish ships had never ventured more than 800 miles from their shores.

Prince Henry gathered experts to teach Portuguese sea captains new methods of seafaring based on science.

Techniques were developed to calculate ship positions relative to heavenly bodies using newly invented instruments called the

FAQ

Who were the first Europeans to reach the New World?

The Vikings were the first Europeans to reach the New World, followed by John and Sebastian Cabot in 1497.

What led to the spread of European customs and languages in distant regions?

European nations colonized lands in the Southern United States and other parts of the world, introducing their customs and languages.

What motivated Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World?

Christopher Columbus proposed sailing west to reach Asia instead of east around Africa, seeking a new trade route.

How did the printing press contribute to the spread of knowledge about the New World?

Amerigo Vespucci published his ideas about the New World using the new printing presses, spreading his ideas across Europe.

What impact did the Age of Exploration have on native people in colonized lands?

Missionaries arrived and native people became Christians, leading to the disappearance of native customs and languages.

Summary with Timestamps

🌍 0:58In the 15th century, European civilization began to explore and understand the world beyond their own small communities.
🌍 6:00Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation to teach Portuguese sea captains new methods of seafaring based on science and overcome the challenges of navigation in the 15th century.
🌍 11:39Italian explorer Christopher Columbus convinces Spanish rulers to support his voyage to find a western route to Asia, despite the prevailing belief that the Earth is flat.
🌍 17:52Amerigo Vespucci, a merchant from Florence, explored the coast of the Caribbean Sea and believed he had discovered a new continent, which he called the New World.

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