Explorers of the Renaissance

Exploration

There were things made in the Middle Ages, which were used later in the Renaissance. One was invented in the twelfth century was the magnetic compass. Another was a portable device used by sailors to help them find their way, which is called an astrolabe. The astrolabe helped determine latitude. Which was very important in navigation. One was invented in the twelfth century and it was the magnetic compass. Maps became very reliable also. Shipbuilding improved during the Renaissance also. The new ones they used were powered by sail rather than by men using oars.

Some explorers were, Prince Henry the Navigator. Prince Henry explored the west coast of Africa. These explorations led to trade for gold and ivory and soon after slaves. Portuguese sailors discovered the route around the southern tip of Africa that would take them to India by sea only.

In 1492, an exploration by sailing west around the world brought Columbus to the New World. Which is now North and South America. Columbus was wanting to set out to find an all water route to the East Indies. But, then he spotted the Americas. Not knowing what they were, he thought he had reached his the East Indies like he was wanting to in the first place. It was ten years later that Europeans found out that he found a new land.

Hernando Cortez discovered gold where the Aztecs lived, in what is now Mexico. They thought more gold could have been found, and that led him and other Spanish explorers to conquer most of Mexico and Latin America.