A Crossroads Resource

Unit II: Contact: Europe and America Meet, 1492-1673

Question/Problem 1:What were the geographic, economic, technological, personal, and political factors between the Crusades and 1492 that coused the Europeans to explore?

Map of Political Boundaries
and Trade Routes by 1492

Part I

Directions:

    1. Title your map "Political Boundaries and Trade Routes by 1492."

    2. Label the items listed below on your map. As you complete each item check it off.

    3. Draw and label Da Gama's route on your map.

Continents
Africa
Asia
Europe

Oceans
Atlantic
Indian
Pacific

 Political Boundaries
China
East Indies/Spice Islands
England
France
India
Japan
Portugal
Spain

Part II

Directions: Use the information on your map and other available resources to answer the following questions.

1. What are the differences between Da Gama's route and the Eastern trade routes?

2. Why would Europeans want to find a different route to Asia?

3. What advantages might Da Gama's route have?

4. What disadvantages might Da Gama's route have?


Back To Question #1