Contextualization

The 'European Maritime Expansion' is one of the most fascinating topics in History. This period, which extended from the 15th to the 17th centuries, was marked by the great navigations of discovery, carried out by various European nations that ventured into the sea in search of new lands, trade routes, and riches. This project focuses on the in-depth analysis of this important historical event.

The fundamental concept here is that of 'Maritime Expansion', which refers to the pioneering spirit and boldness of European navigators in exploring unknown lands, driven by the pursuit of power, wealth, knowledge, and new trade routes. When encountering unknown civilizations, they also brought with them their culture, traditions, and religion; thus, a process of colonization and domination took place that drastically altered the course of human history.

The importance of this period is immense. This moment in history not only gave rise to a new world map but also catalyzed the beginning of a globalization era. New civilizations were discovered, cultural and trade exchanges were initiated, and the geographical and mental horizon of humanity was expanded as never before. During this period, new world powers emerged, economic systems were transformed, and new power relations were established.

The European maritime expansion is closely connected to the modern world. The inequality between rich and poor countries, the existence of various languages and cultures in the world, the globalization of trade, the consumption of exotic products, among others, are reflections of this complex historical process. Understanding the maritime expansion is essential to better comprehend the dilemmas and challenges of the contemporary world.

We recommend the following sources for further study on the topic:

• Book 'The European Maritime Expansion (from the 15th to the 18th century)' by Ricardo da Costa.
• BBC Documentary: 'History of Maritime Expansion'
• Articles from the website 'History of Portuguese Expansion'.

Practical Activity

Title: Rebuilding the Maritime Expansion

Project Objective

This project aims to lead students to a deep understanding of the European maritime expansion through research, analysis, and the creation of an interactive map.

Project Description

Groups of 3 to 5 students should rebuild the European maritime expansion from the 15th to the 17th centuries. To do this, they must research the involved actors, the significant routes, the discoveries, and the historical implications of these events. Based on this study, the group should create an interactive map using a software of their choice to visually illustrate this maritime expansion.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Software for creating interactive maps (Google My Maps, MapChart, etc.)
• Paper and pen for notes and sketches.

Step by Step

Step 1: Divide responsibilities among group members. Each should become a 'specialist' in one aspect of the maritime expansion: Routes and navigations, exploring nations, political and economic impacts, and cultural and social effects.

Step 2: Each member should conduct in-depth research on their respective topic. Both global and specific aspects should be considered, meaning not only the main events should be studied, but also lesser-known facts that can enrich the understanding of the topic.

Step 3: Gather and share the collected information. Discuss which points should be highlighted on the map and how to do it. Remember that the goal is to produce an interactive map where each point, route, or region has an associated description or explanation.

Step 4: Choose the map creation software and start building the interactive map. Whether in choosing colors for the routes, defining significant points, or in the descriptions, everything should reflect the research conducted and the understanding gained about the European maritime expansion.

Step 5: After creating the map, each group should prepare a final report, using the structure described below. In this report, students should discuss the results of the work and the conclusions drawn. The finalized map should also be presented and explained in the report.

Report

The project submission will include both the interactive map and a report detailing the process, the sources researched, and the conclusions drawn. The report, which should be written clearly and objectively, should contain:

1. Introduction: Presentation of the project, the relevance of the maritime expansion, and the work's objective.
2. Development: Detailed explanation of the researched topics, the methodology used, and how the map was created. Each participant should discuss the central aspects of their research and how this information is reflected on the map.
3. Conclusions: Discussion on the findings made during the research and map creation, what was learned during the process, and how the activity contributed to a better understanding of the European maritime expansion.
4. Bibliography: Indication of all sources used during the research.

Remember that the project submission must be made within one week from the start date of the activity.