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Guns were made in Europe around 1350 A.D. They were powerful weapons in battle. Guns provided more range than swords and, therefore, put the gunman at a large advantage. They gave the feeling of power to whoever owned them much like the steel sword did.
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Around 1400, many major improvements were made to ships. For example, lateen sails were made. They made it easier to manuever. They also could pick up wind from each direction making them faster.
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In 1406 A.D., Ptolemy's map of the world was found in western Europe. Ptolemy's map was the best existing map. It made Columbus believe he could sail west from Europe to get to Asia. It was the best existing map for many years.
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The first caravels were built in 1420 A.D. Caravels were faster than carracks. They could fit about 20 people compared to the 40 that carracks could carry. Caravels were built for sea voyages instead of ocean voyages becuase they were smaller.
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Around 1465, navigation by the stars improved immensly. Astrolabes were used more efficiently. Also, sextants were used more along with other navigation devices. These devices made it easier to know longitude.
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Columbus landed his ship in the West Indies in 1492. He thought he had landed in Asia but he had actually landed in a New World. When he found Native Americans, he called them Indians. On his voyage, he recognized the compass's changing direction as the longitude changed.
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In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was made. This treaty stated that the undiscovered land of the world would be split between Spain and Portugal. This treaty is very bias because it only pretained to Spain and Portugal. Contrasting, they had been doing most of the exploration of the New World so it was somewhat fair.
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Columbus discovered the American continent in 1498. He thought it was a part of Asia at first. When he met Native American tribes, he called them Indians. haley is the bestest person ever <3
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In 1499, Amerigo Vespucci explored the eathern coast of South America. He recognized Ptolemy's map did not fit the coast at all. From this he concluded that the New World was not Asia. Vespucci claimed it was a new continent.
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A new map was realease in 1507. This map included a new name for a new continent. The new continent's new name was "America". It was named America in honor of Amerigo Vespucci, who discovered the new world Columbus found was a new continent as well as a new world.
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The Europeans brought Smallpox to the Native Americans. In 1514, the Native Americans found this out. Whole populations and groups of Natives were being wiped out. All it took were germs they had never been exposed to and their lives were turned upside down.
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In 1521, the Fall of the Aztec Empire came. The Spaniards took them down with their weapons and disease. The Aztec's ruling area became New Spain. A new Spanish city was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan.
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Ferdinand Magellan and a total of five ships set off to complete a new journey. They wanted to circumnavigate, or complete a voyage around the world. The last ship with its crew of seventeen men returned to Spain in 1522. This completed the circumnavigation of the earth.
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In 1606, Australia was discovered by Dutch explorers. It was probably discovered by Willem Janszoon. Although it is debated on who discovered it, most people say it was Willem Janszoon. For a long time, it was divided into Eastern and Western Europe.
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In 1607, the English made their first successful colonization in America. It was settled thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts. They called it Jamestown because it is by the James River. Jamestown is still a city in Virginia today.
