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An Age of Explorations
and Isolation, 1400–1800
Previewing Main Ideas
CULTURAL INTERACTION Asians resisted European influence, but this
cultural interaction did produce an exchange of goods and ideas.
Geography Study the map. What European power first sent explorers into
the Indian Ocean?
ECONOMICS The desire for wealth was a driving force behind the
European exploration of the East. Europeans wanted to control trade with
Asian countries.
Geography How did the voyages of Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama
compare in length?
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Europeans were able to explore faraway
lands after they improved their sailing technology.
Geography Look at the map and time line. What country sent the first
expedition to explore the Indian Ocean in the 15th century?
INTERNET RESOURCES
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Go to classzone.com for:
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Would you sail
into the unknown?
It is a gray morning in 1430. You are standing on a dock in the European
country of Portugal, staring out at the mysterious Atlantic Ocean. You have been
asked to go on a voyage of exploration. Yet, like most people at the time, you
have no idea what lies beyond the horizon. The maps that have been drawn
show some of the dangers you might face. And you’ve heard the terrifying
stories of sea monsters and shipwrecks (see map below). You also have heard
that riches await those who help explore and claim new lands. Now, you must
decide whether to go.
EXAM I N I NG
the
ISSU ES
• What possible rewards might come from exploring the seas
for new lands?
• What are the risks involved in embarking on a voyage into
the unknown?
Discuss these questions with your classmates. In your discussion,
recall what you have learned about the lands beyond Europe and
what they have to offer. As you read about the age of explorations
and isolation, see why Europeans explored and what they achieved.
528 Chapter 19