How did advancements in maritime technology contribute to European exploration during the Age of Discovery (1400s-1500s)?(2 points)

Question

Responses

Introduction of the steam engine
Introduction of the steam engine

Proliferation of the telegraph
Proliferation of the telegraph

Invention of the printing press
Invention of the printing press

Development of advanced cartography techniques

Answer 1

The advancements in maritime technology that significantly contributed to European exploration during the Age of Discovery (1400s-1500s) included:

1. Development of advanced cartography techniques: Improved mapmaking allowed explorers to navigate more accurately and with greater confidence. Better maps, including the use of latitude and longitude, helped in plotting courses across uncharted waters, facilitating voyages to distant lands.

2. Introduction of the magnetic compass and navigational instruments: The use of the magnetic compass and astrolabes enabled sailors to determine their direction and latitude at sea, making long voyages more feasible and reducing the chances of getting lost in open waters.

(Note: The other options listed, such as the steam engine or telegraph, became relevant in later periods and were not key to the immediate advancements during the Age of Discovery. The printing press, while important for disseminating information, is not specifically a maritime technology.)