Download Lesson Starter 23 - Mrs. Unda`s 6th Grade Social Studies Class

6th Grade Social Studies Lesson Starters practice #23
Name____________________________________
Period__________ Date
Day 1
When did the Age of Exploration begin?
The European Age of Exploration began in the early
15th century. It was inspired largely by the desire for
resources and wealth, but religion also served as a
What largely inspired the Age of Exploration?
motivation. The Muslim Ottomans controlled many of
the world’s overland trade routes to the East. This led
Christians Europeans to seek alternate routes to Asia
by ship. In addition, religion and politics were highly
mixed. Many explorers saw it as their Christian duty
to conquer territories, spread Christianity to those they Who controlled much of the world’s overland trade
conquered, and return with gold and other resources to routes to the East?
enrich their “Christian” nations. They saw bringing
glory to their king or queen as the same as glorifying
God.
What did many explorers consider to be their Christian
duty?
Day 2
New inventions and ideas led to the Age of
Exploration. A number of European nations wanted
find new ocean routes to Africa and Asia. The trade
routes on land were difficult and controlled by foreign
powers. Eastern nations like India and China had
spices other goods that Europeans wanted. Prince
Henry the Navigator of Portugal began the age of
European exploration. He commissioned scientist and
inventors who helped make long voyages possible. He
hired sailors who explored the coast of Africa and
opened the way for future journeys. Henry
encouraged sailors to travel farther than they ever
dared before. In 1498, a Portuguese explorer named
Vasco da Gama found a route to India by going around
Africa. Thanks to Henry, Portugal built Europe’s first
dominate navy and prospered more than any other
country during the early years of exploration. His
efforts inspired other European nations to follow in
Portugal’s footsteps.
What led to the Age of Exploration?
What did many Europeans nations want during this
time?
Who was Prince Henry the Navigator?
What did he do?
What was Vasco da Gama known for doing?
6th Grade Social Studies Lesson Starters practice #23
Name____________________________________
Period__________ Date
Day 3
Up until the early sixteenth century, the Roman
Catholic Church was the only recognized church in
Western Europe. During the Middle Ages, it grew in
power. In 1517, a German monk name Martin Luther
took action that shook the church and changed
Christianity forever. Luther believed that the Bible
taught people are saved only by the grace of God
rather than religious works. One of the practices that
upset Luther was the selling of indulgences.
Indulgences allowed people to pay money to the
church in exchange for forgiveness. On October 31,
1517, Martin Luther nailed what came to be known as
his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the castle church
in Wittenberg, Germany. He voiced his protest against
indulgences and various other Catholic teachings.
Although his original goal was to see Catholic leaders
change their ways rather than start a new church, his
actions ultimately lead to the Protestant Reformation.
It was called protestant because it protested efforts of
the Catholic church.
Day 4
While Luther challenged the Catholic Church in
Germany, a reformation movement took hold in
Switzerland as well. Originally, Ulrich Zwingli led
this movement. However, when Zwingli was killed in
a battle against Catholic forces, leadership of the cause
fell to John Calvin. Calvin wrote Institutes of the
Christian Religion in which he put fourth many
arguments that came to define Protestant thought. One
of his most famous and controversial doctrines was
that of predestination, the belief that God has already
decided who is saved and who is lost and humans can
do nothing to change it. Eventually, Calvin became
the recognized ruler of Geneva and made it a city ruled
by Protestant ideas. Calvinism eventually became the
foundation of the Presbyterian Church.
What were some of Luther’s beliefs?
What are indulgences?
What was Luther’s original goal?
What is predestination?
What church did Calvinism eventually become the
foundation of?