Fall of Constantinople (1453): The conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and a significant shift in power, which disrupted European trade routes and contributed to the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era.
End of the Middle Ages: The historical period characterized by the decline of medieval structures and the emergence of new cultural, political, and economic ideas, often marked by key events such as the Fall of Constantinople and Columbus’s discovery of the New World.
Ottoman control of Byzantine Empire: The Ottoman Turks seized Constantinople in 1453, establishing a powerful empire that controlled key trade routes and access points between Europe and Asia, influencing European exploration and trade.
Closure of Silk Road to Europeans: The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople cut off traditional overland trade routes (Silk Road), compelling Europeans to seek alternative maritime routes to Asia, fueling the Age of Exploration.
1. What is considered a key event marking the end of the Middle Ages?
2. On what date did Christopher Columbus land on San Salvador, marking the European discovery of the Americas?
3. What was the primary purpose of European exploration during the Age of Discovery?
End of Middle Ages — event?
Fall of Constantinople in 1453
End of Middle Ages — significance?
Transition to modern era, trade disruption
Discovery of New World — date?
1492, Columbus's voyage
Columbus — landing site?
San Salvador in the Caribbean
European exploration — motives?
Economic, political, religious expansion
Vasco da Gama — route?
Sea route to India via Cape of Good Hope
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