Final answer:
The key technological advancements enabling the Age of Exploration included the sternpost rudder, the compass, and gunpowder, which were originally Chinese inventions. Among the choices provided, gunpowder had a significant impact on military conquests, but for navigation and exploration, the compass was a critical tool.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Age of Exploration was made possible through various developments, particularly in the Old World. The key factors enabling this period included technological advancements and cultural shifts. From the late 15th century onwards, nations like Spain and Portugal led the charge in overseas exploration, seeking new trade routes and territories. Technological advancements such as the sternpost rudder, the compass, and gunpowder, all originally Chinese inventions, played crucial roles in this endeavor. The printing press, although influential in disseminating knowledge, was not a direct enabler of exploration.
Among the options provided, gunpowder was a significant military development that aided in the conquest and control of new territories. Gunpowder was used to create powerful weapons that some European powers, notably those referred to as the Gunpowder Empires, leveraged to acquire wealth and territory across the globe. This advancement supported the power and reach of European empires during the Age of Exploration. However, when discussing the specific technologies that enabled the seafaring aspects of the Age of Exploration, the compass would be a more direct answer.