Why Europeans Explored North America
Learning Objective
I can describe the reasons why Europeans explored North America.
Key Concepts
The European Age of Exploration, spanning from the early 1400s through the 1600s, involved European nations exploring the world and finding new routes to places like India and the Americas.
Prince Henry, also known as Henry the Navigator, played a key role in the Age of Exploration by funding and encouraging exploration and the study of navigation.
Christopher Columbus, sponsored by the Spanish monarchs Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, set sail in 1492 with the intention of finding a new route to the East Indies, but instead landed in the Caribbean Islands.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 9 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What was the main goal of Prince Henry the Navigator in the early 1400s?
2. Why was salt such a valuable commodity during the Age of Exploration?
3. What did Christopher Columbus hope to find on his voyage westward from Spain?
...and 6 more questions
Educational Video
The New World: European Age of Exploration in the Americas
Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel