Instructions for Wednesday, 9/7

1. Come in and sit at your new assigned seat (get your assigned seat from
me)
2. Write the agenda in your planner
3. Complete the bellringer below on a separate sheet of paper.
4. When you are finished with the bellringer, you may read (no talking)
Bellringer:
5. What were the Americas like before European Exploration? Describe
some of the different cultures. (Think about the information on your
test)

The Age of Discovery (1400s-1600s)

Before European Exploration

Diverse civilizations in the Americas and Africa

The Middle Ages and Crusades

The Renaissance

Marco Polo (1254-1324)

Traveled to Asia using the Silk Road

He became famous for his travels because of his book

Description of the World

The Hall of the Palace

is so large that it could
easily dine 6000
people; and it is quite a
marvel to see how
many rooms there are
besides. The building is
altogether so vast, so
rich, and so beautiful,
that no man on earth
could design anything
superior to it.
They possess silk in
great quantities, from
which they make gold
brocade and other

Inside the city there is a

Lake which has a compass of
some 30 miles: and all
around it are erected
beautiful palaces and
mansions, of the riches and
most exquisite structures
that you can imagine... In the
middle of the Lake are two
Islands, on each of which
stands a rich, beautiful and
spacious edifice, furnished in
such style as to seem fit for
the palace of an Emperor.

So why did Europeans want to go to

Asia?
ECONOMICS
*They wanted Asias riches!
* Silk, gold, jewels, spices
CULTURE
* Wanted to experience Eastern culture

The Yearning to Explore

1477 Europeans read Marco Polos book and
want to travel to Asia and receive Asian goods
However, there was a problem
* Land route to Asia was dangerous,
more resources were needed
So how are Europeans going to get to Asia?
* They are going to find a water
route!

Another Problem!
Europeans did not know much about the world around
them

Label the 7
continents
and 4
oceans!

Portugal leads the way

Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator,
Portugal becomes the #1 leader in exploration
Prince Henry creates a navigational school
Inventions: Astrolabe, Compass, Caravel
Cartographers mapmakers, draw better maps
Caravel small, sturdy ship

Prince Henry (13941460)

Prince Henry the Navigators

Institute

Bartolemeu Dias
Portuguese explorer
Wanted to find a water route to Asia
Reached the southern tip of Africa
* Cape of Good
Hope

First European sailor to round the Southern tip of Africa

What comes next?

Exit Slip:
1. Why did Europeans want to find a water route to Asia?
2. What influence did Marco Polos writings have on
Europeans?