Library of Congress
Loc: Mediterranean World on the Eve of Conquest
The Library of Congress provides an essay on the reasons for exploration during the 15th century.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: World History: Age of Exploration
World History learning module on the Age of Exploration and Columbian Exchange. Unit contains multi-media resources, interactive activities, assignments and assessment.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Medieval
Looks at a few of the key navigational tools and significant individuals during the medieval period of exploration.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Ancient
This Ancient Exploration page presents marine technological innovations, types of ships, and information about Alexander the Great. It covers the period of time from 5000 BCE to 476 CE. Each item links to a page of additional information...
Mariners' Museum and Park
Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Age of Discovery
This Age of Discovery page presents naval artifacts and explorers of the 15th century to the early 17th century. It looks at European explorers who journeyed to North and South America, the search for the Northwest Passage, and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Other Worlds the Voyage of Columbus
This site has a lesson plan designed for grades 9-12. The lesson plan deals with understanding the culture from which Columbus came, Renaissance Europe, and the culture he found in the New World.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Portugal & Spain: Quest for Monopoly in the East
Essay on Spain and Portugal quest for control of trade, exploration and colonization, and their eventual displacement by Northern Europeans.
Other
Radford University: Prelude to European Settlement of Virginia
This site traces the early voyages of explorers from Portugal and Spain who were trying to find new resources.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Amerigo Vespucci Timeline
A timeline illustrating the significant events of Amerigo Vespucci's life and legacy. Amerigo Vespucci is credited for being the first explorer to "discover" America by stating that it was a new country, not the West Indies.
A&E Television
History.com: Infographics: Age of Exploration
Discover what life was like for a sailor during the Age of Exploration.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Exploration of the Americas
This collection uses primary sources to explain the early exploration of the Americas.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Quiz: Exploration & Interconnection
A twelve question quiz testing the knowledge of world travelers.
A&E Television
History.com: How Portugal's Seafaring Expertise Launched the Age of Exploration
In the 15th century, a small kingdom with a population of approximately 1 million launched the era of maritime exploration that would transform the world. Portugal turned to the boundless Atlantic Ocean as its only outlet to the wider...
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Social Studies: Grade 5: The Age of Exploration in the Americas
Read and study the sources about the European Age of Exploration. As you read the four sources, think about the ways in which exploration during this time period impacted the Americas.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: North American History
History reference page for elementary students provides an overview of early American history from the age of Columbus through the Civil War and abolition of slavery. Includes links to teacher resources.