The Age of Exploration

From around 1400 to 1600, European explorers set out to explore the world and this period was known as the Age of Exploration.  These explorers found out new things about the world, shared their discoveries with others, and changed the way people viewed the world.  Explorers traveled the world for many reasons including fortune, adventure, knowledge, land, and sometimes to promote Christianity.  Spain and Portugal were the first nations to send out explorers.  Eventually England, France, and the Netherlands sent out explorers as well.  Some of the most famous explorers of this time were Hernan Cortes, Christopher Columbus, and Ferdinand Magellan.  Exploration changed the European economy.  Many more goods were available and trade boomed.  The economic system of Europe grew into Capitalism.  Exploration also created some tension between the European nations as they tried to be the first to claim land, resources, and goods.  Eventually a war broke out between England and Spain.  Exploration also affected the Americas greatly.  Many people died in the Americas and the Inca and Aztec Empires were destroyed as European nations set up colonies and took over the land.   This Age of Exploration changed history for better or worse.