- Prince Henry the Navigator
- Bartholomew Diaz
- Vasco da Gama
- Technological innovations
- caravel
- compass
- astrolabe
- General History of the Indies
- Treaty of Tordesillas (look up--not mentioned in McKay)
- Christopher Columbus
- Amerigo Vespucci
- Vasco Nunez de Balboa (also might have to look up outside of the text)
- Ferdinand Magellan
- Hernando Cortes
- Francisco Pizarro
- "Golden Century of Spain"
- Columbian Exchange
Questions to Consider:
- What motivated various countries to begin exploring new areas? Why did Portugal lead the way and then Spain?
- How does the text regard Columbus's achievements (or perhaps, lack thereof)? Why was Columbus credited with so much achievement if he is considered so cruel?
- What economic impact does exploration have on Spain?
- Why is the Columbian Exchange significant? Did it have a greater effect on Europe or the New World?