Effects of the Age of Exploration Webquest: APWH

1. Today we will be exploring the effects of the Age of Exploration on the global community.
Following the “discovery” of the New World by Columbus in 1492, the world was dramatically
altered. The world experienced a significant shift in all aspects of life (think SPICE shifts). Using the
information gathered at the sites below, determine your stance on the following statement: “The
discovery of the Americas was a positive turning point in history.” Complete the vocabulary as you read and
complete an argumentation chart provided.

Encomienda System Condomble Columbian Exchange

Las Castas System Baroque Galleon
Viceroy Potosi War of Spanish Succession
Vodun Small Pox Seven Years’ War

Use the space below to define the terms above. For each term you can write a definition OR draw the term if
that better suits the definition.
Argumentation: “The discovery of the Americas in 1492 was a positive turning point in world history.”

Facts that would support the statement. Facts that would refute the statement.

My overall opinion in thesis format:

Effects on Social order
• Encomienda system – Read Below

The encomienda system was created by the Spanish to control and regulate American Indian labor and behavior during
the colonization of the Americas. Under the encomienda system, conquistadors and other leaders (encomenderos)
received grants of a number of Indians, from whom they could exact “tribute” in the form of gold or labor.
The encomenderos were supposed to protect and Christianize the Indians granted to them, but they most often used the
system to effectively enslave the Indians and take their lands. – Gilder Lehrman Institute

• Las Castas System – Visit this site

Effects on Political order

• Establishment of Viceroys (View map below and read excerpt)
Effects on Culture
• Cultural Syncretism (Vodun, Condomble) View this site
• Baroque Architecture: View this site (read intro and entry #10 concerning Zacatecas Cathedral)
• New Language: View the map below
Effects on Human Environment Interaction
• Potosi and silver mining: Read this article
• Demography and Disease: View the char below

i.
• Columbian Exchange: Read this article
Effects on Economy
• Silver Trade – Galleons were used to transport large amount of silver mined in Latin America. View the
diagram below.

• New Labor Systems: See chart concerning slavery below.

1.
ii. Watch the illustration on this site

Impact on Europe
Google the wars below and summarize them in 3-6 sentences

• War of Spanish Succession

• Seven Years’ War