The Age of Discovery

The Age of Discovery began in the 1400s and lasted into the 1600s. During this time, European explorers set sail across the world's oceans. They were looking for new trade routes, riches, and lands. Sailors from Portugal, Spain, England, and other countries explored Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These voyages connected different parts of the world for the first time, but also brought great harm to many native peoples.

Brave Explorers

Many famous explorers lived during this time. Vasco da Gama sailed from Portugal around Africa to India. Ferdinand Magellan's crew sailed all the way around the world. Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean. These sailors faced huge storms, sickness, and the fear of the unknown. New tools like the compass and better maps helped them find their way across the open sea.

A Changed World

The Age of Discovery changed the world in big ways. Europeans set up colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. They brought back new foods like potatoes, tomatoes, and chocolate. But they also brought diseases that killed millions of native people. Many native people were forced from their lands or enslaved. The Age of Discovery connected the world, but it also caused a lot of suffering.

Fun Facts

• Magellan's voyage around the world took about three years to complete.
• Potatoes, tomatoes, and corn were unknown in Europe before the Age of Discovery.
• Portugal and Spain signed a treaty to split the newly discovered world between them.

Did You Know?

Before the Age of Discovery, most Europeans had no idea that the continents of North and South America even existed!