The Explorers Why did Europeans sail to new places? By: Mr. Casey

The Explorers Why did Europeans sail

to new places?

By: Mr. Casey

What’s it like in Europe?

Europe is suffering from plaque and disease, wars, and poverty.

The Middle Ages

The world according to Europe!

This is This is the the

known known world!world!

Europe is Changing

*Europe is in the middle of the renaissance

Marco Polo* 1295 Marco Polo comes back from being in Asia for 25 years.

He tells stories of golden palaces, jewels, silk, and

spices.

MARCO POLO’S ROUTE

The Ottoman Turks capture

Constantinople*1453 they capture the city of Constantinople and block trade

through the city.*Silk and spices become very

hard to come by and very expensive

Europeans have to find a new way to Asia

The Silk Highway*Route is long and filled with dangers, but the resources

from Asia are in high demand

New Technology Changes

EverythingGutenberg

invents movable type and books

are easier to print (1440)

New Technology

Magnetic Compass-

a tool that shows which direction is

north

New Technology

Astrolabe- a tool that helped sailors use the sun and stars to find

their location

New TechnologyGunpowder-

an explosive made of a mixture of

saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal

New Technology

Caravel- a small ship

designed by the Portuguese with a lateen (triangular)

sail

China is much more advanced

than any country in Europe

gunpowder

movable type

compassastronomy

& navigation

Zheng He

Why venture out and risk your life?

Money, wealth, and powerAn explorer can get land, get rich and famousSpread of Christianity

If you can convince a king or queen to pay for your expedition,

you can earn ...

Imagine you are an entrepreneur and you want to lead an expedition to India and Asia; tell me what you would say to a king or queen and how you would sell them on giving you the resources you need to lead your expedition. Where would you go, how, and why? Choose one person to speak to the king or queen.