Beginning in the late 15th century, European Kings and Queens began sponsoring voyages in search of quicker over-seas trade routes to Asia. While most of these voyages did not ultimately lead to the discovery of over-seas trade routes, the discoveries that were made had a profound and lasting impact on the world. At a similar time in history, east Asian nations, such as China and Japan, were doing the opposite and effectively killing their expansionist policies and choosing to withdraw into foreign policies of relative isolation.

What factors drove European nations to explore and expand? What factors led east Asian nations to seek policies of relative isolation at the same time as European exploration and expansion?

How do the discoveries of the European explorers continue to impact the western world today? (What impact did the discoveries of European explorers have on North and South America?)

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