Discuss the impact of technology and ideas on world exploration.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. As Europeans began to explore from a base in Portugal and Spain, they were already in the midst of a multicultural environment, sharing Spain with Muslims and Jews, both of whom maintained significant trade connections with the East. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, with overland access to the east significantly diminished, alternate ways to the East were sought, and because of its strategic geographic location, Portugal and Spain were the frontrunners in exploration from Western Europe. Prince Henry the Navigator established a center of exploration in Portugal in order to further his control over African trade. The European ships, however, were inadequate for Atlantic travel, and it was with the use of a lateen sail, as well as navigational methods derived from their Arabic neighbors, that European abilities were furthered. The Renaissance brought a resurgence of interest in Greek science and literature, including travel literature, mathematics and other ideas that improved scientific and cartographic knowledge at the time. Utilizing astronomy for navigation, as well as the astrolabe or quadrant and magnetic compasses developed by Arabs and Chinese, the Europeans gained a strong foothold on world travel.