The Europeans Why It Matters Europe in the 1400s experienced enormous cultural, economic, and technological changes. As new ideas swept the continent, some Europeans began to look beyond their shores to satisfy their growing ambitions. They were about to enter an age of discovery and exploration that would change not only Europe but much of the world as well.

Life in Europe Around 1400 Economy Mostly agricultural The Europeans Life in Europe Around 1400 Economy Mostly agricultural Small scale manufacturing Artisans produced cloth, tools, weapons, and ceramics.

Extremes of wealth and poverty characterized European society. The Europeans Society Extremes of wealth and poverty characterized European society. A ruling elite of less than 5 percent of the population controlled almost all of the land. About 3/5 of western Europeans were working poor. Monarch Aristocrats Merchants Peasants

Europe divided into warring kingdoms. The Europeans Politics Europe divided into warring kingdoms. Castile, Portugal, France, and England. Competing monarchs sponsor voyages to gain wealth and territory.

The Renaissance and New Ideas The Europeans The Renaissance and New Ideas Printing Press Renewed interest in learning and the advancement of the arts and sciences. Johannes Gutenberg invents printing press (1440). The spread of literature helped promote the daring new Renaissance ideas of individualism and experimentation.

Became aware of distant lands and different ways of life. The Europeans Increase of Trade Crusades Trade Map Became aware of distant lands and different ways of life. Crusaders returned home with goods and raw materials from the East, including silks, gems, and spices. European traders expanded their businesses to Asia.

Portuguese Begin to Explore The Europeans Portuguese Begin to Explore Reconquista (reconquest) promoted a zealous crusading spirit for spreading the Christian faith.

Prince Henry the Navigator The Europeans Prince Henry the Navigator Directed Portuguese efforts to sail into the Atlantic, spread Christianity, Founded a school of navigation. Sponsored several expeditions down the coast of West Africa.

The Europeans New Technology Portuguese shipbuilders develop the caravel, designed to travel long distances. New navigation tools such as the compass, the astrolabe, and more accurate maps allow longer voyages.

Transparency: Renaissance Technology

Portuguese take the lead. First Encounters Portuguese take the lead. Portuguese mariner Bartolomeu Dias learned how to use the counterclockwise winds of the South Atlantic to get around southern Africa. Vasco da Gama reaches India. Portuguese dominated the trade routes south and east around Africa.

Sought a route to the East. First Encounters Spain Looks to the West The Voyages of Christopher Columbus Sought a route to the East. In 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain provided 3 ships, 90 men, and most of the funding for Columbus’s voyage.

The Voyages of Christopher Columbus Who first discovered America??? First Encounters The Voyages of Christopher Columbus Who first discovered America??? After 33 days at sea, he reached what we now call the Bahamas. Thought he landed in the East Indies near Asia. Referred to the people living on the islands as Indians

Other Voyages of Exploration First Encounters Other Voyages of Exploration John Cabot, a Genoese mariner employed by the English, sailed to Newfoundland. Pedro Alvarez Cabral discovered the coast of Brazil in 1500. Amerigo Vespucci, another Genoese mariner, explored enough of South America’s coast to deem it a new continent. Ferdinand Magellan succeeded in encircling the entire globe

In-Class/HW Read – Slavery in Africa p. 18-19 Read – All of section 4 First Encounters In-Class/HW Read – Slavery in Africa p. 18-19 Answer questions 5&6 on pg 19. Read – All of section 4 Answer questions 2, 4-6 on pg 26.