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1.1 Impetus for Exploration

Part of Period 1: 1491-1607 in AP® US History. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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Impetus for Exploration

The European exploration of the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th centuries was driven by a complex mix of economic, social, and political factors. Here’s a breakdown of the primary causes:

In this unit

5 lessons

  1. 1.1Impetus for ExplorationThis lesson
  2. 1.2Native Americans Before European ContactPreview lesson
  3. 1.3Spanish Exploration, Conquest, and Spanish Colonial SocietyPreview lesson
  4. 1.4Slavery in the AmericasPreview lesson
  5. 1.5Cultural Exchange and Justifications for EnslavementPreview lesson

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