The fall of the Roman Empire led to the development of the feudal system.

Decline of feudalism: The development of farm technology (plows and

padded horse collars) allowed farmers to produce a surplus of food, which could feed a growing population and a standing army.

Under these improved economic conditions people developed specialize skills. Trading towns and cities became the dominant economic system (shift from feudalism).

The Crusades (1096 -1200s)Fighting between Christians and Muslims for the

Holy lands (Southwest Asia) and spread of religious beliefs.

The Crusades were not successful, but they helped to expand trade and developed a new social class, the bourgeoisie.

And…..

The Crusades ushered in the RenaissanceEuropean isolation ended and a new era of growth

in European learning and creativity began.

Spread of knowledge throughout Europe was aided by Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the …..

This map doesnot include Spanish Explorers.

14_ _ he….

Other deeds:

Installed the encomienda system which gave colonists control over Indian labor (1493).

Under this system and with the use of force he took over Hispaniola (Haiti).

Bartolome de Las Casas denounced this take over in, Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indies.

Columbus is also credited with the “Columbia Exchange”; the exchange of goods across the Atlantic Ocean.

Flat earth myth…???

Sir Walter Raleigh receives royal permission to start an English colony (1583). He explores the Atlantic coast and names the area “Virginia” in honor of Queen Elizabeth the “Virgin Queen.”

From 1585 – 1587 Raleigh tries to colonize Roanoke Island, but was unsuccessful due to weather and events such as stalled supply ships. Why were the ships stalled????

The English conflict with the Spanish Armada

King James I issued the Charter of 1606 which authorized two merchant companies to colonize Virginia (Plymouth Company and London Company).

These were joint-stock companies and the government was not directly involved. Instead, investors shared the cost for colonization and shared in the profits (or losses) from the colony.

The companies, following Spain, were given the right to mine/dig for gold, silver, and copper.

Colin Farrell

John SmithQ’orianka Kilcher

Pocahontas

Christopher Plummer

Captain Newport

Christian Bale

Batman…John Rolfe

Wes Studi

Opechancanough

David Thewlis

Wingfield

Captain John Smith

His leadership helped save the colonists from certain death.He was a soldier and had strong leadership skills.He visited native tribes and established good relationships between the colonists and natives.He is quoted as saying “he who will not work, will not eat.”

A New Cash Crop

The future of the new settlement was uncertain until settlers began growing tobacco. By 1619 tobacco was the colonies largest cash crop. Tobacco was called “green gold” The growing of tobacco fueled the colony’s economy and lead to the physical expansion of Jamestown.

From the beginning Jamestown had problems-land was swampy-few settlers had skills, such as carpentry or farming-while settlers searched for gold, their strength and supplies diminished.

Nearly 2/3rds of the original 108 within the first 8 months. The colonists barely survived the cold, illness, and famine.

Jamestown today

Jamestown 1606Powhatan houses

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/php/voyage.php