EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CONQUEST AND COLONISATION – The Portuguese and Spanish Explorations
Technology and Historical Change Technology and Historical Change in the
Age of Exploration There were many causes of the Age of Exploration.
New trade routes
Influence of the Renaissance
Causes of the Age of Exploration
Religion Marco Polo One of the most important causes was developments in ships and navigation.
New technology in ships and navigation We know why the explorers wanted to find new sea routes. But they could not have gone on voyages of exploration without improvements in ships and methods of navigation. This new technology influenced historical change in the Age of Exploration.
Ships
New ships called caravels were built. These ships brought together the best qualities of ships that sailed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Without this new technology, the long voyages of exploration from
Europe could not have been undertaken. ●● They were carvel-built. The boards on the side of the ship (hull) were fitted edge-to-edge. Carvel-built ships could be made longer than clinker-built ships (with overlapping boards), and carry more masts.
Bow sail
Wealth and fame for explorers
Developments in ships and navigation
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Square sail
Lateen sail
●● They used both square sails and lateen (triangular) sails. Square sails were used to sail faster with the wind following behind. Lateen sails were used to sail against the wind. They were also useful for exploring bays and river mouths.
Carvel-built
●● The caravels were steered by rudders. This gave more control over the steering. ●● They had castles (raised structures) on the decks at the front and back. From the castles, sailors could sight enemy ships more easily and take defensive action.
A larger ship, the carrack or nao, was later developed to undertake longer voyages along the coast of Africa and across the Atlantic Ocean.
