1.The Age of Exploration.pptVIP

American History and Culture  Lesson 1 The Age of Exploration The Age of Exploration American Indians Discovery of the New World 美洲印第安人 American Indians Amerindians Amerinds Red Indians Native Americans Aboriginals First Nations Amerigine Where? American Indians came from Asia through the land bridge at today’s Bering Strait. When? 40,000 years ago 30,000 years ago 20,000 years ago 12,000 years ago Why? Native Americans are believed to have followed herds of big animals to Americas. How? American Indians traveled on foot, by horses, or using primitive boats. American Indians Nomadic life hunting; gathering Permanent settlement hunting; agriculture Complex civilization Agriculture; industry; commerce The Inca Empire: Rome in America Maya Civilization: Greece in America Stereotype about Native Indians All Indians share a common culture, language, and physical appearance. American Indians in North America Social Background in Europe 1. development of capitalism 2. the Reformation 3. the Renaissance Motivations for Exploration Why did the Europeans want to explore overseas? Gold: A country’s greatness could be measured by the country’s amount of trade in gold and silver. God: Europeans wanted to spread Christianity across the globe. Glory: Explorers could gain glory for themselves and their country. Christopher Columbus An Italian navigator, Columbus was looking for a short ocean route to Asia. Columbus believed that the world was round and that Asia was only 3,000 miles to the west of Europe. The Silk Road The Silk Road was blocked by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. In 1488, Portugal opened a sea route to Asia. Oct 12, 1492 – Columbus arrived on a small island in the Caribbean Sea. Christopher Columbus Columbus made four voyages to the Americas in his life. 1st voyage: 1492 2nd voyage: 1493-1494 3rd voyage: 1498 4th voyage: 1502-1504 Amerigo Vespucci In 1507, the newl