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The Age of Exploration Chapter 4 Test Review
Why did the Age of Exploration begin?
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It began in the late 1400s.
European countries wanted to find
different trade routes to Asia.
o Portugal had taken over the
sea route around Africa and
the land route was
dangerous.
Religious conflicts between the
Protestants and the Catholics made
people want to move to a place
where they can practice their
religion freely and without
violence.
The King and Queen of Spain were
Catholic. They wanted to spread
Christianity around the world.
What do archaeologists do?
A scientist who studies artifacts to learn
about past cultures.
Who named North and South America,
“The New World”?
The European explorers that came to
America called it The New World. It was
not a new world to the Native Americans
who lived here for thousands of years.
Why were flags planted on land by
European explorers?
During the Age of Exploration European
rulers wanted to spread their power to the
New World. They paid explorers to sail to
and claim new land. Once an explorer
reached a new land, they planted a flag to
claim, or take, the land for their country.
What could explorers do with a cash crop?
Tobacco and cotton were popular cash
crops found in America. A cash crop is a
crop that is grown in large quantities for
sale. They couldn’t be eaten. Cash crops
were grown to be sold back in Europe.
Explain how each of the items from the shipwreck scavenger hunt
relates to the Age of Exploration:
Potatoes
Many new world plants, such as corn, potatoes, and
beans, provided new foods for Europe.
Tobacco
It became a valuable cash crop for colonies in
the New World.
Bible
They used the Bible to help them spread the
Christian religion.
Gold Coin
European countries wanted to build wealth.
Flag
Planting a flag on a new land claimed that
land for their country and ruler.
Map
Maps showed the information they needed to
know to cross the ocean. Ocean maps include
such features as rocky shores and safe ports.
Maps for navigation show where winds blow
and ocean currents flow.
Compass & Astrolabe
These are both tools of navigation. The
compass showed the direction their ship was
heading using the earth’s magnetic field. To
cross an ocean and arrive at their destination,
sailors needed a way to find their location
and stay on course. The astrolabe helped
them to measure their ship’s latitude and
navigate by day or night.