Rebirth of World Exploration

Directions: Research the following topics and figure out answers to the questions. Write your notes and answers on lined paper or your notebook paper. You are expected to use the time completely, be through and become knowledgeable. Write down any questions you have related to the material on your paper and bring them up during the class discussion. Warning: If you are found to be using your research time for other things, it will hurt your learning and grade. If you think or claim to be done, you are not! The class will research as much as time allows before discussion. Since there is always more to research and learn, Mr. Spitzer encourages you to look into the topic more on your own time.

Topics to Research:

Marco Polo

Improvements in sailing technology

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portugal explored Africa

Bartolomeu Dias

Vasco da Gama

Questions to be able to discuss

  1. Who was Marco Polo? Describe his life, journeys, life working for Kublai Khan, return to Europe and how his book came to be written. Why was Marco Polo’s book important in history?
  2. Why did Silk Road goods imported from the East cost so much in Europe during the late Middle Ages? List these goods.
  3. What changes in trade routes (away from the Silk Road dependence) did the Atlantic coastal European nations seek to create?
  4. What technology improvements made sailing easier by the 15th century? How did these aid exploration?
  5. Who was Prince Henry the Navigator? Discuss his long career and time period. How did he help Portugal in the field of exploration?
  6. Describe the voyages and process of Portugal’s exploration of Africa including the findings of the voyages of discovery. Include in your report to the class the Azores, Madeira Islands, the Canary Islands the Cape Verde Islands, and Gold Coast of Africa. Show their locations on the wall map.
  7. Explain the economic benefits of these Portuguese African exploration voyages. What did the Portuguese trade and get in return? Why did Portugal try to protect their navigation and exploration secrets?
  8. Who was Bartolomeu Dias? Describe his 1487-88 voyage to the southern tip of Africa and the events there. Why did the king of Portugal rename the Cape of Storms the Cape of Good Hope? Why was Dias voyage significant?
  9. Who was Vasco da Gama? Describe and show on the map his voyage to India, which he reached in 1498? What cargo did Vasco da Gama obtain and how did he escape with the cargo? Why did the Muslim traders try to kill him?
  10. What was the historical importance of Vasco da Gama’s successful return to Portugal in 1499? What were his voyage profits and costs?

Critical Thinking:

  1. How did Portugal’s exploration of Africa lead to increased trade? Support your answer with examples.
  2. How was Prince Henry the Navigator historically important? Support your answer.