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Early Explorers
Directions: After discussing the Empires of Portugal, Spain, England, and France, complete the chart
below. Write three things in each section and draw a colorful graphic for each statement.
Motivation
Obstacles
Achievements
What motivated the explorers?
What obstacles did the early
explorers face?
What are some achievements that
the explorers accomplished?
Station #1
Causes of European Exploration and Colonization
Portugal is a small country on the Atlantic coast in southern Europe. During the fifteenth century, Portugal led the
world in sea exploration. Beginning in 1415, and for nearly one hundred years, Portugal explored the western coast of
Africa.
The Portuguese wanted to find a route around Africa into the Indian Ocean. Goods brought over land from China and
India were expensive. Europeans wanted Asian silks and spices, but they wanted to find a way to get them at a lower
cost. The Portuguese believed that they could make a lot of money as traders if they could get Asian goods for a
cheaper price. There were religious reasons to explore too. The Portuguese wanted to spread Christianity along Africa’s
west coast.
Prince Henry the Navigator was the son of the Portuguese king. He fought in a battle that helped capture Ceuta,
a city on the coast of North Africa. The Moors had controlled Ceuta for hundreds of years. This gave Portugal an
important outpost form which to explore Africa. Prince Henry became governor of Portugal’s southernmost coasts. He
sent more than fifty expeditions down the west coast of Africa. Henry wanted to establish colonies and break the
Muslim hold on trade routes.
Henry studied navigation and mapmaking. He established a naval observatory. Students there learned navigation,
astronomy, and cartography (mapmaking). Henry’s efforts advanced what Europeans knew about these sciences.
Henry was unable to make money trading in gold, so he tried creating sugar cane plantations. One of his expeditions
discovered the island of Madeira. The climate there was good for growing sugar cane, and he knew that it was a very
profitable crop. It also required lots of labor. Henry imported slaves from Africa to work the fields. This plan became
successful and was later copied in the New World. In fact, the expansion of the sugar cane economy encouraged a slave
trade that lasted another four hundred years.
The Portuguese also gained access to the Spice Islands. By 1513, Portuguese trade extended to China and Japan.
Questions to Consider:
1. Why did Prince Henry the Navigator want to send ships south to Africa?
2. Which religion did Prince Henry hope to spread?
3. Why do you think Prince Henry was nicknamed “the Navigator”?
Station #2
famousbook
Name:
Location:
Parents:
Job:
Education:
Profile Picture
Activities:
Interests:
Accomplishments:
Station #2
Colonization of Australia by the United Kingdom
The first Europeans to sail into Australian waters arrived in 1606. To reach Australia from Europe, ships sailed south
along the west African coast to the Cape of Good Hope and then turned east across the Indian Ocean. For nearly two
hundred years, ships from several European nations sailed to the continent.
In 1770, Captain James Cook charted the eastern Australian coast in his ship Endeavor. Following orders from British
King George III, Cook claimed the east coast for Great Britain. Cook named eastern Australia “New South Wales”. The
British mapped the coast of Australia, including the island of Tasmania.
The independence of the thirteen American colonies led the British to colonize Australia in 1788. Before American
independence, the British sent prisoners to be colonists in the Georgia colony in America. Britain created a new penal
(prison) colony by shipping prisoners from Great Britain to Australia.
There were four main reasons for the British to colonize Australia. First, the British wanted to colonize Australia to
relieve overcrowding in Great Britain’s jails. Second, the British government recognized the importance of having its
navy stationed in Australia in the southern hemisphere. The British viewed Australia as an economic base to expand
trade. Finally, the British government did not want its rivals, especially the French, to start a colony on the Australian
continent.
Questions to Consider:
1. Who claimed Australia for Great Britain?
2. What type of people were the first British colonists in Australia?
3. In the passage above, highlight the four reasons that Great Britain colonized Australia.
4. In your own words, summarize each of the four reasons that Great Britain colonized Australia:
a.
b.
c.
d.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Colonize Australia! Flyer
Directions: Imagine that it is the year 1788. Create a flyer that informs the people of Great Britain why it is important
for the country to colonize Australia. Include each reason that you wrote in question 4 (above), as well as a colorful
graphic that explains the reason. *The size and shape of the flyer is up to you, but it needs to be colorful and creative!
Station #3
European Empire Building in Asia and Africa
During the late nineteenth century, several European countries wanted more overseas land. These countries were
Great Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. The result was a “Scramble
for Africa” between 1885 and 1910. During this period, several European countries divided the continent of Africa
among themselves.
Economic development played a large role in the colonization of Africa. During the nineteenth century, factories in
Europe require raw materials to manufacture finished products. The Europeans looked for new sources of raw
materials and markets for their goods. Gold, diamonds, and oil were some of the resources the Europeans wanted. Asia
and Africa had those resources.
Politics also led to the colonization of Africa. Some European nations showed national pride by competing for colonies
in Africa. No major nation—including Great Britain, France, & Germany—wanted to be without colonies. Colonies in
Africa and Asia made the Europeans feel pride in their country.
Another reason for colonizing was the European worldview. Many 19th century Europeans viewed themselves as the
world’s most advanced civilization. Some felt it necessary to “civilize” people in the rest of the world. Increased activity
by African missionaries helped make colonization seem less offensive to citizens in Europe. This scramble for land also
reached farther into Asia. Many Asian territories saw a change from Europe as trading partner to Europe as conqueror.
Great Britain, for instance, took control of India. France controlled lands in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The
British fought for control of other lands like Burma, Laos, Siam, and Cambodia.
Nationalism (the love of one’s country) and militarism (using strong armies and threats of war) were on the rise in
Europe. European countries signed treaties agreeing to help one another in case of attack. In 1914, a series of events
caused Germany to declare war on Russia and France. On the other side, the British joined France and Russia and
formed the Allied Powers. Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey and its colonies), and Bulgaria joined the
Germans as the Central Powers.
Because these countries were large and controlled lands around the world, the war was called the Great War. Later,
the United States became involved on the side of the Allied Powers. The war lasted until 1918, and an estimated 10
million people died. Some believed it was “the war to end all wars.” Unfortunately, just 20 years later, Europe would
be at the center of an even bigger conflict. The Great War became known as World War I. The later, larger conflict
was called World War II.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions to Consider:
1. Which statement best describes how economics played a role in European colonies in the nineteenth century?
a. The desire for international tourism increased.
b. Europe felt Asia’s growing population was a threat to expansion.
c. Trade routes to Asia from Europe were less important than before.
d. Europe wanted more sources of raw materials needed for manufacturing.
2. How did nationalism play a part in Europe’s competition to colonize Africa and Asia?
a. European missionaries were trying to spread their religion.
b. Europeans felt a need to “civilize” other parts of the world.
c. Smaller countries wanted more land to accommodate growing populations.
d. Having colonies made countries feel more important and successful than other countries.
3. What war was a result of militarism and nationalism in the late nineteenth century?
4. Which group of nations (3) formed the Central Powers?
5. What is your opinion on the “Scramble for Africa”? Was it fair for European nations to takeover land & people
in Africa and force them to become colonies of Europe? Please write at least 3 sentences to support your
answer.
Station #4
Design A Magazine Cover!
Directions: After reading European Empire Building in Asia and Africa, you are going to design a magazine cover that
could have been seen in the early 1900s. You will need to include the following things in your design:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Choose to base your cover on the “Scramble for Africa” OR “Nationalism & Militarism”.
Write a catchy title that goes along with the topic.
Draw a graphic that explains your title.
In the “Features” section, write 4 different titles of articles that could be featured in the magazine. Also write
down the page number that you want them to be on.
5. Color the magazine cover. *The border should be yellow, but you can color the rest any way that you prefer.
Vol. 34, No. 5
September 1904
National
Geographic
Features:
Station #4
Exploration Quiz:
Study Strip
Exploration Quiz:
Study Strip
Exploration Quiz:
Study Strip
Directions: Answer each
question on the BACK of the strip.
Use this to study for your quiz!
1. Which European countries
had HUGE empires
around the world?
Directions: Answer each
question on the BACK of the strip.
Use this to study for your quiz!
1. Which European countries
had HUGE empires
around the world?
Directions: Answer each
question on the BACK of the strip.
Use this to study for your quiz!
1. Which European countries
had HUGE empires
around the world?
2. Which South American country
did Portugal colonize?
2. Which South American country
did Portugal colonize?
2. Which South American country
did Portugal colonize?
3. Where did Columbus land in
1492?
3. Where did Columbus land in
1492?
3. Where did Columbus land in
1492?
4. England, Scotland, & Wales
united to become what country?
4. England, Scotland, & Wales
united to become what country?
4. England, Scotland, & Wales
united to become what country?
5. What 3 things were European
explorers trying to gain by
exploring the world?
5. What 3 things were European
explorers trying to gain by
exploring the world?
5. What 3 things were European
explorers trying to gain by
exploring the world?
6. Why was Prince Henry
nicknamed “the Navigator”?
6. Why was Prince Henry
nicknamed “the Navigator”?
6. Why was Prince Henry
nicknamed “the Navigator”?
7. Which European country had
the largest empire?
7. Which European country had
the largest empire?
7. Which European country had
the largest empire?
8. Who were the first British
colonists to live in Australia?
8. Who were the first British
colonists to live in Australia?
8. Who were the first British
colonists to live in Australia?
9. What was the “Scramble for
Africa”?
9. What was the “Scramble for
Africa”?
9. What was the “Scramble for
Africa”?
10. How did militarism and
nationalism start World War I?
10. How did militarism and
nationalism start World War I?
10. How did militarism and
nationalism start World War I?
Station #5
Wanted: Influential People During European
Exploration
Directions: Read “Who was Henry the Navigator?” on page 661 in Journey Across Time. Use the text to complete the
wanted poster below.
Directions: Read “Christopher Columbus” on page 662 in Journey Across Time. Use the text to complete the wanted
poster below.
Station #6