GLPTE TEST
NAME: TOTAL
MARKS:40 MARKS
DATE: MARKS
OBTAINED:
YEAR:
Instructions
•Use black ink or ball-point pen.
•Fill in the boxes at the top of this page with your name,
centre number and candidate number.
•Answer ONE question from each section.
•Answer the questions in the spaces provided–
there may be more space than you need
Advice
•Read each question carefully before you start to answer it.
•Check your answers if you have time at the end.
•You are reminded of the importance of clear English and
careful presentation in your answers
1
Section 1
The Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration started in the 1400's. Europeans were
desperate to get spices from Asia. Spices were used to preserve
foods and keep them from spoiling. Spices, however, were expensive
and dangerous to get. European rulers began to pay for explorations
to find a sea route to Asia so they could get spices cheaper.
Portugal was the first country that sent explorers to search for the sea
route to Asia. After Bartholomew Dias and his crew made it to Africa's
Cape of Good Hope, Vasco da Gama and his crew became the first to
sail around Africa and through the Indian Ocean to India in 1497.
Spain, however, would soon take over the lead in exploration. When
Portugal refused to finance Christopher Columbus' idea to sail west
to find the shortcut to the Indies, Columbus convinced Spain's King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to finance it. On October 12, 1492,
Christopher Columbus and his crew reached the island of Hispaniola.
Although Columbus believed he had reached Asia, he had actually
discovered the entire continent of North America and claimed it for
Spain.
Spain quickly colonized North America. Ponce de Leon discovered
Florida, and the first European settlement in the New World was later
established at St. Augustine. Hernando Cortes crushed the Aztec
empire in Mexico and claimed it for Spain. Francisco Pizarro did the
same to the Incan Empire in South America. Other explorers such as
Francisco Coronado and Hernando de Soto claimed other portions of
North America for Spain. Vasco Nunez de Balboa even claimed the
entire Pacific Ocean for Spain. As the Spanish empire grew, explorers
forced native populations into slavery and to convert to Christianity.
Meanwhile, France began to explore North America. Explorations by
Giovanni Verrazano and Jacques Cartier resulted in French claims of
much of Canada and the north Atlantic coast. England would soon
attempt to make its presence known by financing pirates such as
Francis Drake to plunder Spanish settlements and steal gold from
Spanish sea vessels. England also established a settlement in North
2
Carolina in 1587. Territorial disputes and constant pirating resulted in
a series of major wars between the competing nations. In 1588, the
British Army defeated the vaunted Spanish Armada. The British
victory proved a serious blow to Spanish influence in the New World.
Although Spain still controlled much of the New World after defeat,
England and France were able to accelerate their colonization.
England soon established successful colonies throughout the eastern
portions of the United States, and France had colonies in Canada and
the middle portions of the United States. By the mid 1700's, new
territorial disputes between England and France eventually resulted in
England gaining control over much of North America after the French
and Indian War. English colonies flourished in North America until
1776 when the colonists declared their independence. The
Revolutionary War ensued and resulted in independence for the
colonists. The United States of America was formed
Q1;Answer the following question with the help of the
extract provided.
Total marks: /20
A:Who was the first European explorer to sail around
Africa and reach India?
/3
B:What event marked Christopher Columbus’ arrival in
the Americas, and which country did he claim the land
for?
/3
3
C:Which Spanish explorer conquered the Aztec empire
in Mexico?
/3
D:What role did England play in challenging Spanish
dominance in the New world, and what significant
event weekend Spanish influence in the region?
/3
E:What was the outcome of the French and Indian War,
how did it affect control over North America?
/3
F:What even led to the formation of the United States
of America, and what was the result of the subsequent
Revolutionary war?
/3
G:What were some of the lasting legacies of European
exploration and colonization in the Americas? /3
4
Section 2
Total marks:20
Q1:What were some motivations behind European
exploration during the Age of Exploration?
/3
Q2: Evaluate the impact of European colonization on
indigenous populations in the Americas, citing evidence
from the text. /5
Q3: Compare and contrast the exploration and
colonization efforts of Portugal, Spain, France, and
England in the New World, highlighting their respective
motivations and outcomes.
5
/7
Q4: Explore the European competition for control of the
Americas during the Age of Exploration. Consider
motivations, key explorers, and consequences for
indigenous peoples and global power dynamics .
/5
