Ch 16: Europe and the Age of Exploration: Homeschool Curriculum
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
This unit of our Middle School World History Homeschool Curriculum course will benefit any student who is trying to learn about Europe and the Age of Exploration. There is no faster or easier way to learn about Europe during the Age of Exploration. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who require an efficient, self-paced course of study to learn about European explorers, map makers and traders in the New World.
- Homeschool parents looking to spend less time preparing lessons and more time teaching.
- Homeschool parents who need a history curriculum that appeals to multiple learning types (visual or auditory).
- Gifted students and students with learning differences.
How it works:
- Students watch a short, fun video lesson that covers a specific unit topic.
- Students and parents can refer to the video transcripts to reinforce learning.
- Short quizzes and a Europe and the Age of Exploration unit exam confirm understanding or identify any topics that require review.
Europe and the Age of Exploration Unit Objectives:
- Learn why Old World explorers sailed to the New World.
- Study the history of gunpowder and its use in the New World.
- Discuss the goals and discoveries of Portuguese and Spanish explorers.
- Understand the role of map makers during the Age of Exploration.
- Learn how the Encomienda system was used to control Native Americans and reward conquistadors.
- Discuss European market economies in 17th century Europe.

1. The Old World and New World: Why Europeans Sailed to the Americas
During the Age of Exploration, Europeans risked passing the waters of the Old World to explore the New World. Explore three reasons Europeans sailed to the Americas, including a spirit of adventure, religion, and a desire for wealth.

2. Great Explorers of Spain and Portugal: Aims & Discoveries
Spain and Portugal funded many famous explorers, including Christopher Columbus, on expeditions to numerous countries in their global expansion efforts. Follow the travels of several explorers into South America, Central America, and, ultimately, North America, resulting in profitable discoveries like gold, and violent conquests, such as Cortez taking Mexico from the Aztecs for Spain.

3. Mapping the World, Seaborne Commerce & Piracy
Mapping the New World was an important practice during the Age of Exploration, and its improvement led to improvement in other areas. Explore the growth in seaborne commerce during the Age of Exploration, and learn about the rise of piracy and early privateers like the English Sea Dogs.

4. Conquistadors and Encomienda System: Definition & Savaging of the New World
The Spanish government employed conquistadors, or 'conquerors,' to ravage the Americas with violent piety and instill the encomienda system as their structural rule over the indigenous people. Learn about Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, and other conquistadors who enacted the encomienda system of control in the Americas.

5. Las Casas, Valladolid Debate & Converting the New World
Bartolome de Las Casas advocated for the Native American peoples who were brutally mistreated by 'conversion' efforts during the Age of Exploration. Explore the Las Casas family tree, examine the reformation that Bartolome sought to instill in the early 1500s, and learn about the peaceful Verapaz experiment and subsequent Valladolid debates.

6. The Columbian Exchange
The Columbian Exchange occurred as a result of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in 1492. Explore the problematic history of Christopher Columbus discovering America and how his voyage and the Colombian Exchange impacted the world at large.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Middle School World History: Homeschool Curriculum course
- Paleolithic Era to the Agricultural Revolution: Homeschool Curriculum
- Civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt & Kush: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Ancient Hebrews: Homeschool Curriculum
- Ancient Greek Civilization: Homeschool Curriculum
- Early Civilization in India: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Roman Republic: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Roman Empire and Cultural Legacies: Homeschool Curriculum
- Islamic Civilizations in the Middle Ages: Homeschool Curriculum
- China in the Middle Ages: Homeschool Curriculum
- Medieval Japan: Homeschool Curriculum
- Medieval Europe: Homeschool Curriculum
- Renaissance Europe: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Reformation in Europe: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Scientific Revolution: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Enlightenment - Middle School World History: Homeschool Curriculum