1. Ch. 2 Exploring the Americas
Section 1
A Changing World pp

2. Essential Question
What events and technological advances paved the way for European exploration?

3. New Ideas and Nations European contact with the Muslim world
The Crusades started in 1095 as a way to protect the Christian Holy Land in present day Israel
Marco Polo returned from China
Western European gained interest in spices, sugar, silk and precious stones

4. Routes for goods to Europe
The red trade route is the Silk Road

5. Factors (events) leading to the Age of Exploration
The Growth of Trade
Merchants could make a fortune selling perfumes, silks , spices and precious stones to wealthy Europeans
Venice, Genoa and Pisa prospered as Italian trade ports on the Mediterranean Sea
Arab merchant charged high prices for goods, so Europeans looked for other trade routes

6. Do now Name two goods wealthy monarchs wanted from Asia.
Name one Italian city-state that traded for these goods.

7. Growth of Ideas Newly wealthy Italian merchants explored the past
Studied the classics—Greek and Roman knowledge and information
Used an experimental approach to science
Artists, architects and sculptors studied Greek and Roman ideas

8. Nutmeg
Very expensive spice

9. The Renaissance Means “rebirth” in French
Spread throughout Europe from Italian city states and reaching Spain and northern Europe in the 1400’s
Paved the way for an age of exploration and discovery

10. Powerful Nations Emerge
Nations helped expand trade and interest in overseas exploration
Strong monarchs came to power and centralized the patchwork of small states
Spain, Portugal, England and France established national laws, courts, taxes and armies. Wanted to increase trade and wealth.

11. Powerful Nations Emerge
Nations helped expand trade and interest in overseas exploration
Strong monarchs came to power and centralized the patchwork of small states
Spain, Portugal, England and France established national laws, courts, taxes and armies. Wanted to increase trade and wealth.

12. Great African Kingdoms
Powerful African Kingdoms flourished south of the Sahara between A.D.
Mined copper, gold and iron ore
Traded with Islamic nations of north Africa and the Portuguese along the west coast during the 1400’s

13. Ghana, Mali and Songhai
Ghana a great trading empire based on gold. Ivory and slaves
Mali –a powerful kingdom was ruled by Mansa Musa

14. Topics for Ch. 2-1 Quiz Marco Polo
Factors (events) leading to the Age of Exploration—Ex. Growth of Trade
Technological Advances
vocabulary