The Europeans

New ideas swept through Europe during the 1400s, causing enormous cultural, economic, and technological changes. Europeans began to look beyond their shores on a quest of exploration and discovery that would change Europe and much of the world

Middle Ages − period in European history from the 5th century through the 14th century marked by an absence of effective central government Renaissance − period in European history lasting from the 14th to the 16th century, which ushered in a more secular age and encouraged freedom of thought, the importance of the individual, and renewed interest in classical learning

The Black Death

Inspired by the Black Death, The Dance of Death or Danse Macabre, an allegory on the universality of death, is a common painting motif in the late medieval period. - See more at: http://www.historytoday.com/ole-j-benedictow/black-death-greatest-catastrophe-ever#sthash.hxdfgQTP.dpuf

But as new institutions and ideas slowly took hold, a new civilization emerged in Europe. Europe was recovering from the effects of the bubonic plague, which had killed about a third of all Europeans during the 1340s. Most of the surviving population lived in the countryside, and the economy was overwhelmingly agricultural.

Artisans produced cloth, tools, and other goods in city workshops. But cities and towns were growing, especially in northern Italy and the Netherlands. Artisans produced cloth, tools, and other goods in city workshops. Cities also were centers of trade. AS

A ruling elite of less than 5 percent of the population controlled almost all of the land. Royalty and Aristocrats A monarch was at the top of the social pyramid in each kingdom. Aristocrats inherited social rank, title, and landed estates worked by peasants. Church Leaders and Merchants The elite also included leaders of the Roman Catholic Church. Wealthy merchants shipped cargoes between cities for profit.

Under the domination of this small elite class were the commoners. Middle-Class Families These families owned enough property to employ themselves as farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers. They accounted for only a fifth of the population. The Working Poor In good years, they farmed on rented land or worked for pay, and in bad years, many were beggars. They accounted for three-fifths of the population.

The kingdoms were often at war over land and power. The most important kingdoms in Western Europe were Castile, Portugal, France, and England. Each was ruled by a monarch who depended on the elite class to do much of the governing.

In the end, the Muslims defeated the Christian Crusaders. Despite their rivalries, many Europeans united in the common cause of capturing and controlling the Holy Land. During the latter half of the Middle Ages, European Christians and Southwest Asian Muslims fought one another in a series of religious wars known as the Crusades. In the end, the Muslims defeated the Christian Crusaders.

But the Crusades had lasting effects that benefitted the people of Europe. Europeans became aware of distant lands and different ways of life. Soldiers returned home with exotic goods. Demand for these products soared, and European traders expanded their businesses into Asia.

Trade Routes in Europe, 1000−1300 What major trade cities were located in Africa and Asia? How do you think the lives of people living in the trade cities were affected?

By the mid-1400s, the European Renaissance had begun, and during this period: trade with and knowledge of other lands expanded. the wealth generated from trade fueled further exploration. the development of the printing press made books more widely available. literature promoted new ideas.

In some places, violent conflicts continued between Christians and Muslims. On the Iberian Peninsula, the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, and Portugal were waging the reconquista. They hoped to drive out the Muslim Moors, who had ruled Iberia for centuries.

In 1469, the marriage of Prince Ferdinand and Queen Isabella united Aragon and Castile to create Spain. In 1492, the monarchs won the reconquista by capturing the Muslim stronghold of Granada. Spain and Portugal were now well-situated to seek new trades routes and expand European influence.

Starting in 1419, Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator led early efforts at exploration and expansion of trade. He founded a school of navigation. He sponsored expeditions down the west coast of Africa.

Technological innovations helped the Portuguese take the early lead in sailing into the Atlantic Ocean. Sailors used the compass, the astrolabe, and the quadrant to determine their location and direction. Shipbuilders created the sturdy caravel, capable of sailing hundreds of miles.

Quadrant

Astrolabe

Caravel