Episode 12: The Age of Exploration & Encounter

The Age of Exploration launched an era of global connections, trade, and conquest, forever changing the course of world history. But with discovery came conflict, exploitation, and the reshaping of entire civilizations. In this episode of The World History Curriculum Companion, we explore the motivations behind European exploration, from the search for new trade routes to the quest for wealth and power. We’ll examine key explorers like Columbus, Magellan, and da Gama, as well as the devastating impact of European expansion on indigenous peoples. This episode covers the Columbian Exchange, rise of mercantilism, and brutality of the transatlantic Slave Trade. This episode is designed to accompany our Age of Exploration unit plan in our complete World History curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms. Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in World History, along with American History, Civics & Government, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.