A Changing World

Mr. Gutierrez

Expanding Horizons►When the Roman Empire fell, the

people of western Europe were separated from the rest of the world. They were divided by the Catholic Church

into many small kingdoms and city-states.►Feudal System (Feudalism): rule by

lords who owe loyalty to a monarch►Manor: large estates run by Lords►Few people left the manor. The manor

had everything needed for survival. It was self-sufficient. (blacksmith, church, market, etc.)

Topic: ExplorationAim: How did the Crusades lead to the Age of Exploration?

1. Based on the pyramid below, who had the most power? 2. Which group had the largest population?

VASSALS (KNIGHTS)

KING

LORDS

PEASANTS (LARGEST GROUP)

SERFS (SLAVES)

Expanding Horizons

►Islam swept across the Middle East and Africa. Followers were known as Muslims. European Christians feared of losing

access to the Holy Land.

MAP

Of

MIDDLE

EAST

Expanding Horizons►In 1095, The Crusades occurred.

Nine expeditions to regain control of the holy sites.

►This brings Europeans in contact with the Middle East. Arab merchants sold spices, sugar, silk

and other goods from China and India.►In 1296, Marco Polo would return from

China and write his book, Polo’s Travels. 200 years later, this would inspire

Christopher Columbus to find a new route to Asia.

The Growth of Ideas►New Ideas emerge in Italian City-

States Banking and Expansion of trade made

Italian merchants wealthy. Italians looked to classical (Greek &

Roman) works with new interest. Tested theories new and old. Experimental approach to science. Began to appreciate Greek art for its

realistic approach for portraying people.

The Renaissance►The Renaissance – French word

meaning “rebirth.” References renewed interest in classical

Greek and Roman learning. It spread for two centuries, in all

directions reaching Spain and northern Europe in the 1400’s.

Would pave the way for exploration and discovery.

Powerful Nations Emerge►During the 1400’s the population of

western Europe began to increase.►Merchants and bankers wanted to

expand their businesses through growing trade. If they could buy from the East directly,

instead of buying from the Arabs and Middle East. they could make more profit.

►Began searching for alternate routes.►The Development of Large Nation

States such as Spain, Portugal, France, and England encouraged more trade and exploration.

Powerful Nations Emerge►The Development of Large Nation

States such as encouraged more trade and exploration. Spain, Portugal, France, and England

►Established National Laws, courts, taxes and armies. Sought ways to make their countries

wealthier and more powerful.

Technology’s Impact►Technology – The use of scientific

knowledge for practical purposes.►Paved the way for European Voyages

and Expeditions.►In the 1450’s the introduction of the

moveable type and printing press made it much easier to print books. More books = More new information. Lead to the mass printing of Marco Polo’s

Travels.

Better Maps►Maps were a problem for early

navigators. Usually drawn up by traders

►Cartographer – Mapmakers Using information from reports of

explorers and Arab geographers. Gradually increase their skill. More accurate maps of land and sea. Began showing direction of ocean currents

and latitude lines.

Better Maps►Compass – Would determine which

way North was.►Astrolabe – determined your latitude

location using the stars.►Quadrant – determined your latitude

based on Polaris, the North Star.

COMPASS

ASTROLABE

QUADRANT

Better Ships►Advances in ship design allowed for

long ocean voyages. Caravel – Sailed faster, carried more

cargo and food supplies as well as sail into shallow water for repairs.

►Italian merchants were facing fierce competition now. Portugal began sending ships down the

west coast of Africa.►Arabs introduce the stern rudder and

the triangular sail.

Stern RudderTriangula

r Sail

African Kingdoms►Powerful kingdoms flourished in Africa

south of the Sahara between 400 and 1600. Rich with natural resources (gold, copper,

and iron ore)►Trade with Islamic societies in North

Africa brought both wealth and Islamic ideas and customs to the West African Kingdoms.

►Portuguese set up trade post for gold and slaves.

Arab Traders (Middle East)• cotton, • silk • porcelain

African Interior• Ivory• Metal

Ghana – A Trading Empire►Between 400 and 1100, Ghana existed

as a vast trading empire. Located between the salt mines of the

Sahara and the gold mines of the south. Prospered from taxes the leaders imposed

on trade.►As a result of the trading, many west

Africans became Muslims.►Ghana would eventually decline.

Attacked by Almoravids and gold mines located away from it. (meaning new trade routes)

Mali – A Powerful Kingdom

►A new state, Mali, would grow into a powerful kingdom. Developed own trade route to North

Africa. Expanded territory soon reached what

was once Ghana. Mostly agricultural.

Mali – A Powerful Kingdom

►Greatest king was Mansa Musa. Rules between 1312 and 1337. In 1324, made a pilgrimage (journey to

religious place) to Makkah (Mecca) in western Saudi Arabia.

Built great mosques (Muslim houses of worship) in the capital of Timbuktu.