The Age of Exploration began as a result of a combination of many factors. New inventions such as Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press led to a spread of ideas about other areas of the world. In addition, new inventions such as the compass and the caravel made sea exploration faster, safer, and less uncertain. The primary area people wanted to reach was Asia due to the valuable riches and spices this areas possessed. In contrast, some people ventured to other areas of the world for social reasons not economic. Missionaries tried to spread their religion to the new people who were “discovered”. The Age of Exploration was an ongoing process that began from the spread of ideas, greed, and religion that resulted in the settlement of North America by a number of European countries.

In the 15th Century, without a clear idea of what the world really looked like, the people’s perception of the world was quite distorted. Furthermore, sailors told stories about the huge sea monsters that would engulf your ship. These stories and the fear of the unknown made many sailors skeptical of venturing out into the great blue ocean. (Document 1) Another obstacle that was faced by sailors was the terrible living conditions while out at sea. Voyages were long and usually amounted in insufficient food and diseases such as scurvy. (Doc 1)

However, new technological advances decreased people’s anxiety about sailing. According to Document 2, the astrolabe “was a simple device used for measuring the altitude of the sun or a star for fixing one’s approximate latitude.” Along with the astrolabe, the magnetic compass made it easier to navigate because it always pointed to nomadic north. (OI) If a sailor knew what direction he was sailing in, it made it easier to sail a straight course. In addition, the creation of the caravel ship made sailing faster and easier. The carvel had a steering rudder as well as triangular sails. For example, Christopher Columbus had two caravel ships on his first voyage to the New World. (OI)

Furthermore, people explored for a variety of reasons which can be summed up as “Gold, God, and Glory.” On the other hand, it was people’s desire to sail and gather riches that was the underlining factor in most sea exploration. Document 3 states: “ Spices were a luxury. They were used to disguise the taste of meat in winter. … Salting was the only way people could keep meat. “ Since land routes were too long and expensive, the price of these goods was too high for an average person. (OI) Hence, there was a lot of money to be made in the Asian spice trade. In addition, the Italians had a monopoly on the Asian spice trade, which meant that other countries could not trade with Asia. Asia had other treasures such as silks and perfumes that were a valuable good in Europe. (OI) Once the explorers had reached the New World, the stories of gold, riches, and great cities insisted people to travel. Document 4 shows how a European explorer described rivers in the new world filled with enormous fish and the trees made of gold.

Another reason why people began to explore was to spread religion throughout the world. For example, Document 5 is a picture of a Catholic priest who tried to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Similarity, Father Kino, a catholic priest said “ I have been able, to wash about three hundred Indians in the holy water of baptism.” (Doc 6) Missionaries believed that they were helping the Native Americans find salvation. Bartolome de Las Casas was a catholic priest who criticized the Spanish treatment of the Native Americans and proposed the African slave trade to rectify the problem. (OI) In addition, French missionaries traveled with explorers and acted as guides, drew maps, and talked with the Native Americans.

Collectively, the causes of the exploration of the Americas drastically changed the Americas. One of the most evident effects of exploration is the formation of colonies and empires in North and South America by European nations. For example, Francisco Pizzaro a Spanish conquistador conquered the Incas of South America and claimed the land for Spain. (OI) In addition to conquering the natives, Europeans brought with them diseases such as small pox and typhus that Native Americans were not immune to. (OI)These diseases killed millions of Native Americans. (Doc 7) On the other hand, not all effects were negative/. For example the 2 cultures began to trade and exchange foods. This exchange is known as the Columbian exchange. (OI) North America received horses, pigs, and chickens in exchange for corn and potatoes.

The Age of exploration began with the spread of ideas, a desire for new markets, as well as to convert others to Christianity. When the Europeans arrived in the Western Hemisphere and began to claim land the dynamics of the world changed forever. European nations began to fight for control of the new world and take advantage of the people who inhabited the land.

· Tons of outside information

· Uses the documents

· Adds analysis

· Is well – organized

· Covers the topic

· Has a solid thesis, intro, and conclusion

Use this as a guide to help you write your Explorer DBQ. Read the second example and see how this one is not as good as the first one.

The Age of Exploration

Explorers began to explore the world for many reasons. Those reasons are: Gold, God, and Glory! I am going to tell you about these reasons and the obstacles that explorers faced in this essay.

Document 1 is a graphic organizer that shows that sailors were afraid of sea monsters and sailing over the edge of the earth. In addition, the weather was unpredictable which made sailing hard. New inventions such as the astrolabe helped sailors find out where they were. (Doc2) Asia had a lot of spices that people wanted. If you had spices you could make a lot of money. People wanted these spices to flavor their foods. When people came back from the new world, they told stories about all the gold people could find there. I would really like to travel back in time and go to the new world if the stories were true.

People like missionaries traveled to spread their religion. Bartolome de Las Casas helped to change Indians to Catholics. He proposed the African Slave trade too. I don’t understand why he did that. It was mean.

There are many long-term effects of the exploration of the Americas. For example, the United States has a lot of different kind of people living here. Also, Europeans tried new foods. Some of the things were bad. Indians died from diseases. It was very mean for them to bring diseases to the new world.

I have just told you about 3 reasons why people began to explore, 2 obstacles, and 2 long-term effects on North America. I hope that you have enjoyed this essay.

· Does not use all of the documents

· Does not add in enough outside information

· Uses “I”

· Gets off subject

· Says “I am going to tell…”

· Intro and conclusion are weak

· Contains very little analysis

· What do you think is wrong with this?

· How could this essay be improved?