Question

How did Muslim and Chinese inventions help Europeans explore the Atlantic Ocean in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries?

(a) The astrolabe, which was a Muslim invention, helped Europeans navigate by the stars.
(b) The compass, which was a Chinese invention, helped Europeans find their direction.
(c) The caravel, which was a European invention, was designed for long-distance voyages across the Atlantic Ocean.
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Muslim and Chinese inventions such as the astrolabe and magnetic compass played a crucial role in enabling European maritime exploration, allowing for the Age of Exploration and the discovery of new trade routes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muslim and Chinese inventions were instrumental in enabling Europeans to explore the Atlantic Ocean during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The astrolabe, refined by Muslim navigators, and the magnetic compass, originating from China, were key tools for navigation. Europeans also adopted the lateen sail, which improved the maneuverability of their ships, and the sternpost rudder, another Chinese innovation, which helped with steering. These combined technologies allowed Europeans to sail beyond coastlines into the open ocean, ultimately leading to the Age of Exploration and the discovery of new trade routes and lands.