The Europeans explored to find gold, natural resources, and trade routes, spread Christianity, and expand their empires. Their exploration faced obstacles like poor maps, navigational tools, fear of the unknown, and inadequate supplies. Their accomplishments included exchanging goods and ideas, improving navigation and shipbuilding, and claiming new territories.

1. Exploration
• The Motivating Forces for
Exploration
• The Obstacles to Exploration
• The Accomplishments of Exploration

2. Why did the Europeans want to
explore?
To find Gold, Natural Resources
and Trade Routes

3. Why did the Europeans want to
explore?
To spread their religion--
Christianity

4. Why did the Europeans want to
explore?
They wanted to help make their
empire/country the BEST or superior
AND
They believed in the superiority of their
own culture.

5. Obstacles to Exploration:
Bad/Poor Maps
(Early explorers thought the world was flat. They didn’t
know that North or South America were here)
Bad/Poor Navigational Tools
(If they would have had better tools, they would’ve known
about North and South America)

6. Obstacles to Exploration
Fear of the Unknown
(early sea travelers thought there were sea monsters
like the Loch Ness Monster)
Lack of adequate supplies
(They didn’t pack enough food or water for the
trip. Many men starved to death and
Others ate rats to survive.)

7. Accomplishments of Exploration
Exchanged goods and ideas
(food, clothing, new trade partners)
Improved navigational tools and
ships
Claimed Territories