The Europeans 1400’s

1. The Europeans 1400’s Objectives • Describe the conditions in Europe in the fifteenth century (1400’s) • Analyze how the changes taking place in Europe affected the inhabitants. • Describe the major developments on the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Renaissance

2. 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.

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

4. 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. The Europeans Monarch Aristocrats Merchants Peasants

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

6. 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. The Europeans

7. 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. The Europeans

8. Portuguese Begin to Explore The kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, and Portugal were waging the reconquista (reconquest) to drive out the Muslim Moors who had ruled Iberia for centuries. Reconquista promoted a zealous crusading spirit for spreading the Christian faith. The Europeans

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

10. 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. The Europeans

11. Renaissance Technology TRANSPARENCY Transparency: Renaissance Technology

12. 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. First Encounters

13. 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. First Encounters

14. The Voyages of Christopher Columbus 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 First Encounters

15. 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 First Encounters

16. 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.