Research

Student Tutor Course Date The Age of Exploration The Age of Exploration remains one of the monumental periods considering the impacts that it had on changing global trends. Spanning the period between the 15th and 17th centuries, the age of exploration was marked by European voyages that charted their avenues into new territories. By extension, it is in this era that the world was introduced to colonial empires, global trade networks, and an extensive exchange of cultures. An exploration of the age of exploration through its key figures, events, and impacts should steer a better understanding of how this era was vital in transforming the global economic, cultural, and political prospects both positively and negatively. Transformative Nature of the Age of Exploration The age of exploration was highly transformative as it reshaped global interactions. The transformative nature of this era is marked by the Columbian Exchange in which European explorers sought new trade routes to Asia. However, they discovered new lands that offset their new interaction (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). The Digital History reports that the significance of new interactions in the Columbus Exchange came with the introduction of crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and maize to Europe while the Americas got horses, wheat, and diseases like smallpox. Also, this era transformed the political, cultural, and economic structures of the world with the establishment of European colonies. The other aspect of the transformation of this era was in technological advancements where aspects like navigation and shipbuilding improved considerably (Mariners Museum). Key Historical Figures There were prominent figures who played different roles in this era. Primary among such figures was Christopher Columbus. Columbus is believed to have “discovered” the Americas in 1492. Also, Columbus the Florida Museum indicates that Columbus opened avenues for colonization. The other prominent figure of this era was Vasco da Gama who revolutionized trade between Europe and Asia when he pioneered a voyage to India through the Cape of Good Hope in 1498...