Which statement best describes the relationship between technology and European exploration?
A. Europeans developed new technologies, such as the astrolabe and magnetic compass, to permit long-distance travel.
B. Europeans refused to use technologies originating from Asia and Southwest Asia because they believed they were inferior to European designs.
C. European nations benefited from a combination of existing technologies and their own innovations to aid exploration.
D. European technological advances were slow and often prone to failure during long voyages.
C. European nations benefited from a combination of existing technologies and their own innovations to aid exploration.
Which statement best explains the Roman Catholic Church’s primary reaction to the ideas developed by Galileo and other scientists of the scientific revolution?
A. The Catholic Church blamed Protestants for heretical ideas and sought to eradicate them.
B. The Catholic Church saw the scientific revolution as insignificant and not a threat to their teachings.
C. The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
D. The Catholic Church saw the scientific method as a threat to their political power in Europe.
C. The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
The statement that best describes the relationship between technology and European exploration is option C: European nations benefited from a combination of existing technologies and their own innovations to aid exploration.
To determine the best answer, we need to consider the historical relationship between technology and European exploration. One way to approach this is to evaluate each statement and see which one aligns well with the historical facts.
Option A suggests that Europeans developed new technologies like the astrolabe and magnetic compass for long-distance travel. This statement is accurate and reflects the historical reality. The astrolabe, a navigational instrument used to measure the angles of celestial bodies, and the magnetic compass, which helped sailors determine their direction, were indeed developed by Europeans and played a crucial role in facilitating long-distance exploration.
Option B claims that Europeans refused to use technologies originating from Asia and Southwest Asia, considering them inferior to European designs. This statement is not accurate. Europeans were open to adopting and adapting technologies from other regions, including the Middle East and Asia, if it benefitted their exploration efforts. For example, they incorporated knowledge of shipbuilding and navigational techniques from Arab and Chinese civilizations.
Option C suggests that European nations combined existing technologies with their own innovations for exploration. This statement is also accurate. European exploration benefited from a combination of existing technologies and their own advancements. They built upon existing knowledge, made improvements to navigational instruments, and developed new tools to enhance their exploration efforts.
Option D claims that European technological advances were slow and prone to failure during long voyages. This statement is not entirely accurate. While technological advances were not always perfect and could have their shortcomings, European exploration did see significant progress in the development of navigation tools, shipbuilding techniques, and other technologies. These advances ultimately enabled Europeans to undertake long and successful voyages.
Considering the above analysis, the statement that best describes the relationship between technology and European exploration is:
C. European nations benefited from a combination of existing technologies and their own innovations to aid exploration.