5.2 Start Age Discoveries - TEACH -

• History
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

5. The Time of Discoverers and Reformers

Lesson 2. Discovery and Conquest (1)

5. 

The Time of 

Discoverers and Reformers

Lesson 5.2: The Age of Discovery

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5. 

The Time of 

Discoverers and Reformers

1.1  The Renaissance 

  Humanists

• During the Renaissance many books that were written by the Greeks and Romans returned to Italy.

• These writings are called "the Classics" 

• Scholars who studied the Classics and spread their knowledge were known as "HUMANISTS".

Do you know any explorers from
the 15th / 16th century?

Which two European countries were the first to begin voyages of exploration in the 15th century?

1. Spain and Italy
2. Italy and France
3. Great Britain and Portugal
4. Portugal and Spain

people in this lesson

Marco Polo

Bartholomeu Dias

Vasco da Gama

The known world around 1500

Then

Now

India

China

Indonesia

The Americas

East Indies

West Indies

India

Geographical facts (to learn)

Today:

India

Indonesia

America (N + S)

Geographical facts (to learn)

Today:

India

Indonesia

America (N + S)

15th century

India

East Indies

West Indies

Now

East Indies

West Indies

India

2a. Link the names of these Asian products to the correct image

cinnamon

pepper

nutmeg

silk

cloves

In search of spices 

What caused the Age of Discoveries 

in the 15th century?

1. The Renaissance: more (Greek) knowledge of geography became available in Europe.
2. The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (1453):  The Turks taxed the trade goods (spices) coming from the East Indies so they became very expensive in Europe.

Use Google Maps. What is the walking distance (kilometers & hours) from Venice (Italy) to Xiamen (China)?

Use Google Maps.
What is the highest altitude you must climb? In which country?

Suppose you walk 12 hours a day.
How many days would the journey take?

Suppose you start your 253 day journey in Venice on March 1st.
When will you arrive in Xiamen?

Asian goods were very expensive in Europe.
Which of the following was NOT a reason for
the high prices of Asian goods?

1. Asian merchants had to pay money to middlemen
2. the trade road was dangerous
3. the trade route was very long
4. Asian farmers asked high prices for their products

• The Turkish taxes triggered European countries to try to find a DIFFERENT sea route to the East Indies.

• Especially Portugal and Spain sent out explorers  to find this route and take the spices themselves (and avoid the Turkish taxes....)