DBQ Essay: The European Age Of Exploration

DBQ: The European Age of Exploration The European Age of Exploration was caused by the want for Asian goods, a fear of the Ottoman Empire, and to convert more people to Christianity. Accomplishments by the Europeans include gaining wealth, power, land, and knowledge, leading to the European Golden Age. The events that followed Vasco da Gama reaching India, and Christopher Columbus landing in the Americas, would not only change Europe, but would also lead to globalization. As the Ottoman Empire spread to areas of Europe like Greece and Hungary, other Europeans began to develop a fear of the large and seemingly invincible empire. In Document 1, historian John P. McKay writes that, "twice as many books were printed about the Turkish threat as about the American discoveries." While another part of the world is brought to the attention to the rest of the world, Europeans were more interested in the threat of the Ottoman Empire. In order to combat this threat, Europeans sought to convert people in other parts of
During the Medieval Times, there were only two social classes, the nobles and the peasants. With new economic opportunities, people that used to peasants, were able to gain wealth, and thus a new social class was created. In Document 7, the couple depict the creation of this new social class. They might not have the same wealth as a noble, but they are wearing finer clothing and do posses money. These new opportunities were created because of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This is known as the Columbian Exchange. This trade replaced the Silk Road as new products like tobacco, tomatoes, and potatoes were sent to Europe, European goods like guns were sent to Africa, and slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas to meet the need for cheap