U.S. History

A Crash Course in European History 500 A.D A.D.- Dark Ages, Crusades, Bubonic Plague A.D.- Renaissance and Exploration

The Crusades ( A.D.) During the Crusades, Europeans came in contact with new cultures and different lifestyles.

The Crusades ( A.D.) (continued) This led to a desire for new products such as spices, silk, and gem stones. As a result, European traders explored beyond their boundaries into Asia, seeking new routes and trade partners.

The Renaissance (1400 A.D.) Renaissance means rebirth. Europe experienced a rebirth of the arts and sciences, which were discouraged during the Dark Ages. This led to new exploration and wealth.

The Renaissance (1400 A.D.) (continued) Famous artists of the Renaissance include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Shakespeare.

Early Explorations From the Renaissance came new tools (compass, quadrant, astrolabe) that made sailing more accurate. Stronger ships were being built that longer distances.

Early Exploration (continued) The Portuguese and Spanish were the first to explore the Atlantic. These explorations took the Europeans to the coast of Africa in search of ivory, gold, and slaves.

First Explorers Marco Polo ( ) Was thought to be the first western explorer to visit China and document his trip. Wrote a book called “The Adventures of Parco Polo.”

First Explorers Christopher Columbus ( ) Navigator, colonizer, and explorer from Italy. Worked for the Queen and King of Spain to find a new route to the Indies. His voyages across the Atlantic led to general European awareness of the American continent in the Western Hemisphere.

First Explorers John Cabot ( ) Was the first European since the Vikings to explore the mainland of North America and the first to search for the Northwest Passage.

First Explorers Hernando Cortez ( ) Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of Mexico under Spanish rule.

Beginning of the Slave Trade Due to the large numbers of indigenous deaths caused by over work and disease, Europeans had to find cheap labor. Africa became the primary source of labor for the new world economy. Slavery on Africa had existed of hundreds of years. Europeans traded goods such as guns and spices to African Kings in exchange for slaves.