Key Insights
Why did European explorers seek the Northwest Passage?
They sought a sea route to Asia to bypass the Ottoman Empire's monopoly on trade, which inflated prices and restricted goods.
What was the first successful attempt to find a sea route to Asia?
Bartolomeu Dias's voyage around the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, though he didn't complete the journey.
Why did explorers continue to search for the Northwest Passage despite failures?
Each expedition revealed more about the geography, gradually narrowing the unexplored areas and fueling hope for a viable route.
What was the fate of the Franklin Expedition?
The ships got stuck in ice, and the crew reportedly starved to death, with some resorting to cannibalism. Both ships were later found by divers.
When was the Northwest Passage first successfully navigated by ship?
In 1903, by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who completed the journey in 1906, proving it was possible but not economically viable.
What factors have made the Northwest Passage more navigable in recent decades?
Improved ship technology, better navigation tools like GPS, satellite imagery, and reduced sea ice due to climate change.
What legal issues surround the use of the Northwest Passage?
Canada claims it as territorial waters, while other countries argue it should be treated as an international strait under existing treaties.
Chapters
- The Northwest Passage was conceived as a quicker route to Asia.
- European explorers were motivated by the desire to bypass the Ottoman trade monopoly.
- Initial attempts involved sailing around Africa and through the Americas.
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