Europeans accumulated know-how, experience and technology to make their overseas voyages a reality. This is called "causes and events" by the College Board. Your focus should be on how and why Europeans went where they did.

You should be to:

(GOV) Describe the role of states in the expansion of maritime exploration from 1450 to 1750.

• New state-supported transoceanic maritime exploration occurred in this period.

(ECN) Explain the economic causes and effects of maritime exploration by the various European states.

• Portuguese development of maritime technology and navigational skills led to increased travel to and trade with Africa and Asia and resulted in the construction of a global trading-post empire.

• Spanish sponsorship of the voyages of Columbus and subsequent voyages across the Atlantic and Pacific dramatically increased European interest in transoceanic travel and trade

• Northern Atlantic crossings were undertaken under English, French, and Dutch sponsorship, often with the goal of finding alternative sailing routes to Asia.