European Societies

Feudalism Kings allow nobles to use land that belong to them Nobles owe military service and protection for the people Implemented to help during Viking attacks Manor system – serfs farmed for protection from king (normally castles) Catholic church gained power Collected taxes, aided the sick, punished criminals

Trade and Towns Feudalism = more stability Farmers found new ways to grow crops = population increase = more demand for goods Serfs ran to towns and became craftspeople or merchants = middle class

Trade to the East Italy held advantage in trade (Mediterranean) War spurred trade Crusades Italians supplied most of the crusaders in Middle East= many Asian goods taken back to Europe

Goodbye Feudalism Too many serfs left because of trade = fewer people under Lords Bubonic Plague – ¼ people died Less workers = lords lose power = kings gain power

Renaissance and Reformation Increased interest in art and learning Based on Greek and roman writings Humanism = study of human worth, ideas, and potential Education focus on History, Philosophy, Literature More realistic art Muslim influence of science and math Johannes Gutenberg = more reading Martin Luther = split of church Reformation = correct problems in the Church

Change in Trade? Profit – What is it? Italians had special relationship with Muslims Military strength to control the Mediterranean Caused Europeans to try to find another route

European Explorers Prince Henry (Portuguese) Caravel Triangle sails to sail into wind, square sails helped when wind was at its back Bartolomeu Dias – Cape of Good Hope Vasco de Gama – around Africa, to India Eliminated middle man Sparked Spain and Euro interest to find same route

Columbus Italian Go West over the Atlantic Ferdinand and Isabella Marco Polo claimed Asia stretched W – E further than it did Thought world was only 2/3 the size it was Portugal denied request, Columbus turned to Spain Ferdinand and Isabella Cons: Spain in the middle of war, had doubts, high payment requested Pros: they would share riches, Spread of Christianity

Columbus wanted Jan 1492 Admiral of Sea % of any wealth brought back Ruler of lands found Jan 1492 Spain conquered last Muslim stronghold Columbus left but brought back Agreement reached 3 ships set sail…..

The Journey Trouble finding crew Crew became discouraged Enough supplies to last 1 year (food, water, firewood, etc.) Columbus logged 2 journals (1 secret) Crew became discouraged 10 weeks, 1 month – no land Agreement (3 more days) “Tierra, Tierra”

The Americas Believed to be the Indies Taino people greeted Columbus (called Indians) Named island San Salvador Traveled looking for Japan Reached Hispaniola Found gold and pearls – left men to return home Angered Taino people – killed them all

And it Continues Made 3 more voyages No treasure brought to Ferdinand or Isabella and no spread of religion People enslaved and mistreated 4th voyage = Dead Columbus Sparked interest in England, France, etc.