Chapter 2.4
Master the Age of Exploration: European Maritime Expansion and Global Trade
Discover how European powers transformed global commerce through maritime exploration, colonial systems, and technological innovation during the 15th-17th centuries.
What You'll Learn
European powers competed intensely for control of Asian trade routes
Colonial administrative systems transformed relationships with Indigenous populations across continents
Technological innovations enabled transoceanic voyages and sustained maritime exploration efforts
Global trade networks established foundations for modern international commerce systems
What You'll Practice
1
Analyze European strategies for controlling maritime trade routes and passages
2
Evaluate colonial administrative systems and their impact on Indigenous populations
3
Identify key navigation technologies and vocabulary terms from exploration period
Why This Matters
Understanding the Age of Exploration helps students analyze how historical events shaped modern global trade, international relations, and cultural exchange patterns that continue to influence our interconnected world today.
This Unit Includes
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Maritime Expansion
Colonial Systems
Trade Networks
Navigation Technology
Cultural Exchange
NS Curriculum Aligned
