AP European History Flashcards: Technological Advances And Age Of Exploration

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Technological Advances And Age Of Exploration, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP European History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the explorer who claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500.

Answer: Pedro Álvares Cabral. Accidentally discovered Brazil while sailing to India.

Flashcard 2: Name the device that improved navigation by measuring the height of the sun.

Answer: The sextant. More accurate than astrolabe for celestial navigation measurements.

Flashcard 3: Which invention allowed sailors to determine their direction at sea?

Answer: The magnetic compass. Pointed to magnetic north, providing reliable directional reference.

Flashcard 4: What was the main goal of the Spanish encomienda system?

Answer: To control and exploit Indigenous labor and resources. Forced labor system extracting wealth from indigenous peoples.

Flashcard 5: Identify the ship design that improved long-distance voyages in the 15th century.

Answer: The caravel. Featured triangular sails and shallow draft for ocean voyages.

Flashcard 6: What was the purpose of the lateen sail in navigation?

Answer: Allowed ships to sail against the wind. Triangular sail design enabled sailing closer to wind direction.

Flashcard 7: Identify the explorer who discovered the New World in 1492.

Answer: Christopher Columbus. Reached Caribbean islands while seeking westward route to Asia.

Flashcard 8: Which explorer is known for his voyage to the Caribbean islands?

Answer: Christopher Columbus. Made four voyages to Caribbean between 1492-1504.

Flashcard 9: Which device was essential for determining latitude at sea?

Answer: The astrolabe. Measured sun and star angles to determine position.

Flashcard 10: Which invention allowed sailors to determine their direction at sea?

Answer: The magnetic compass. Pointed to magnetic north, providing reliable directional reference.

Flashcard 11: Name the Portuguese prince who sponsored early explorations along the African coast.

Answer: Prince Henry the Navigator. Established navigation school and funded exploration expeditions.

Flashcard 12: Which country emerged as a leading sea power during the Age of Exploration?

Answer: Spain. Controlled vast American territories and Pacific trade.

Flashcard 13: What was the significance of the Spanish Armada in relation to exploration?

Answer: Its defeat marked the decline of Spanish naval power. Shifted naval dominance from Spain to England.

Flashcard 14: Which explorer is credited with discovering the sea route to India?

Answer: Vasco da Gama. Sailed around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to reach Asia.

Flashcard 15: What was the significance of the Spanish Armada in relation to exploration?

Answer: Its defeat marked the decline of Spanish naval power. Shifted naval dominance from Spain to England.

Flashcard 16: Name the device that improved navigation by measuring the height of the sun.

Answer: The sextant. More accurate than astrolabe for celestial navigation measurements.

Flashcard 17: What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Zaragoza?

Answer: It divided Asian territories between Spain and Portugal. Extended Treaty of Tordesillas to Pacific territories.

Flashcard 18: What was the main economic theory driving European exploration and colonization?

Answer: Mercantilism. Emphasized accumulating wealth through favorable trade balances.

Flashcard 19: What was the main motive behind European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries?

Answer: To find new trade routes to Asia. Bypassing Ottoman control of overland spice trade routes.

Flashcard 20: What was the significance of the Line of Demarcation in the 15th century?

Answer: It divided the non-European world between Spain and Portugal. Created boundary splitting global territories between two powers.

Flashcard 21: What impact did the Columbian Exchange have on Europe?

Answer: It introduced new crops and goods to Europe. Brought potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, and other products.

Flashcard 22: What was the primary function of the lead line in maritime navigation?

Answer: To measure water depth. Weighted rope measured water depth for safe navigation.

Flashcard 23: Which invention allowed sailors to more accurately plot longitude?

Answer: The marine chronometer. Precise timekeeping enabled accurate longitude calculations at sea.

Flashcard 24: What was the main function of the quadrant in navigation?

Answer: To measure the altitude of celestial bodies. Calculated latitude by measuring angles of stars.

Flashcard 25: Which European nation first established trade routes to the Spice Islands?

Answer: Portugal. Portuguese explorers reached Indonesia's valuable spice markets.

Flashcard 26: Which technological advance enabled more accurate maps during the Age of Exploration?

Answer: The use of the printing press. Enabled mass reproduction of accurate geographical knowledge.

Flashcard 27: What impact did the Columbian Exchange have on Europe?

Answer: It introduced new crops and goods to Europe. Brought potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, and other products.

Flashcard 28: What advancement allowed for the creation of more detailed maps in the 15th century?

Answer: Improved cartography techniques. Precise measurements and printing press enabled better maps.

Flashcard 29: Which European nation first established trade routes to the Spice Islands?

Answer: Portugal. Portuguese explorers reached Indonesia's valuable spice markets.

Flashcard 30: Which innovation improved the accuracy of long-distance maritime travel?

Answer: The astrolabe and sextant. Combined instruments provided precise celestial navigation capabilities.

Flashcard 31: Name the Portuguese prince who sponsored early explorations along the African coast.

Answer: Prince Henry the Navigator. Established navigation school and funded exploration expeditions.

Flashcard 32: What was the significance of the Line of Demarcation in the 15th century?

Answer: It divided the non-European world between Spain and Portugal. Created boundary splitting global territories between two powers.

Flashcard 33: Which invention allowed sailors to more accurately plot longitude?

Answer: The marine chronometer. Precise timekeeping enabled accurate longitude calculations at sea.

Flashcard 34: What was the main economic theory driving European exploration and colonization?

Answer: Mercantilism. Emphasized accumulating wealth through favorable trade balances.

Flashcard 35: Which device was essential for determining latitude at sea?

Answer: The astrolabe. Measured sun and star angles to determine position.

Flashcard 36: What was the main goal of the Spanish encomienda system?

Answer: To control and exploit Indigenous labor and resources. Forced labor system extracting wealth from indigenous peoples.

Flashcard 37: Which explorer is credited with discovering the sea route to India?

Answer: Vasco da Gama. Sailed around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to reach Asia.

Flashcard 38: What was the primary function of the lead line in maritime navigation?

Answer: To measure water depth. Weighted rope measured water depth for safe navigation.

Flashcard 39: Which explorer is known for his voyage to the Caribbean islands?

Answer: Christopher Columbus. Made four voyages to Caribbean between 1492-1504.

Flashcard 40: What was the primary role of the Casa de Contratación?

Answer: To regulate Spanish exploration and trade. Spanish colonial administration controlling trade and exploration.

Flashcard 41: Which innovation improved the accuracy of long-distance maritime travel?

Answer: The astrolabe and sextant. Combined instruments provided precise celestial navigation capabilities.

Flashcard 42: Who was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World?

Answer: Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Crossed Panama Isthmus and sighted the Pacific in 1513.

Flashcard 43: Which explorer is credited with discovering the Mississippi River?

Answer: Hernando de Soto. Explored southeastern United States and found major river.

Flashcard 44: What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Zaragoza?

Answer: It divided Asian territories between Spain and Portugal. Extended Treaty of Tordesillas to Pacific territories.

Flashcard 45: What is the significance of the Portolan charts?

Answer: They provided detailed coastal maps for navigation. Medieval charts showing Mediterranean coastlines and ports.

Flashcard 46: What is the significance of the Portolan charts?

Answer: They provided detailed coastal maps for navigation. Medieval charts showing Mediterranean coastlines and ports.

Flashcard 47: What was the primary purpose of the astrolabe in navigation?

Answer: To determine latitude by measuring celestial angles. Used star positions to calculate precise location coordinates.

Flashcard 48: Identify the major technological innovation that improved shipbuilding in the 15th century.

Answer: The caravel design. Combined square and triangular sails for oceanic voyages.

Flashcard 49: Which explorer is credited with discovering the Mississippi River?

Answer: Hernando de Soto. Explored southeastern United States and found major river.

Flashcard 50: What was the main motive behind European exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries?

Answer: To find new trade routes to Asia. Bypassing Ottoman control of overland spice trade routes.

Flashcard 51: Which invention spread knowledge of navigational techniques in the 15th century?

Answer: The printing press. Spread maps, charts, and navigation manuals widely.

Flashcard 52: What was the primary goal of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

Answer: To divide the New World between Spain and Portugal. Established spheres of influence to prevent territorial conflicts.

Flashcard 53: Which technological advance enabled more accurate maps during the Age of Exploration?

Answer: The use of the printing press. Enabled mass reproduction of accurate geographical knowledge.

Flashcard 54: What technological advancement allowed for the construction of larger ships?

Answer: The development of the sternpost rudder. Improved steering control enabled larger vessel construction.

Flashcard 55: Which technological advance allowed for the accurate measurement of time at sea?

Answer: The marine chronometer. Enabled precise longitude determination for ocean navigation.

Flashcard 56: Which European country led the early explorations along the west coast of Africa?

Answer: Portugal. Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored systematic African exploration.

Flashcard 57: Identify the explorer who discovered the New World in 1492.

Answer: Christopher Columbus. Reached Caribbean islands while seeking westward route to Asia.

Flashcard 58: What was the primary purpose of the astrolabe in navigation?

Answer: To determine latitude by measuring celestial angles. Used star positions to calculate precise location coordinates.

Flashcard 59: What was the purpose of the lateen sail in navigation?

Answer: Allowed ships to sail against the wind. Triangular sail design enabled sailing closer to wind direction.

Flashcard 60: Which country emerged as a leading sea power during the Age of Exploration?

Answer: Spain. Controlled vast American territories and Pacific trade.

Flashcard 61: What was the main function of the quadrant in navigation?

Answer: To measure the altitude of celestial bodies. Calculated latitude by measuring angles of stars.

Flashcard 62: Identify the ship design that improved long-distance voyages in the 15th century.

Answer: The caravel. Featured triangular sails and shallow draft for ocean voyages.

Flashcard 63: What technological advancement allowed for the construction of larger ships?

Answer: The development of the sternpost rudder. Improved steering control enabled larger vessel construction.

Flashcard 64: Which invention spread knowledge of navigational techniques in the 15th century?

Answer: The printing press. Spread maps, charts, and navigation manuals widely.

Flashcard 65: Identify the explorer who claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500.

Answer: Pedro Álvares Cabral. Accidentally discovered Brazil while sailing to India.

Flashcard 66: Which European country led the early explorations along the west coast of Africa?

Answer: Portugal. Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored systematic African exploration.

Flashcard 67: What was the primary role of the Casa de Contratación?

Answer: To regulate Spanish exploration and trade. Spanish colonial administration controlling trade and exploration.

Flashcard 68: Who was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World?

Answer: Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Crossed Panama Isthmus and sighted the Pacific in 1513.

Flashcard 69: What was the primary goal of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

Answer: To divide the New World between Spain and Portugal. Established spheres of influence to prevent territorial conflicts.

Flashcard 70: What advancement allowed for the creation of more detailed maps in the 15th century?

Answer: Improved cartography techniques. Precise measurements and printing press enabled better maps.

Flashcard 71: Which technological advance allowed for the accurate measurement of time at sea?

Answer: The marine chronometer. Enabled precise longitude determination for ocean navigation.

Flashcard 72: Identify the major technological innovation that improved shipbuilding in the 15th century.

Answer: The caravel design. Combined square and triangular sails for oceanic voyages.