chapter opener western civilizations, brief third edition copyright © 2012 w.w. norton &...
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Chapter OpenerWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
Ch. 11 – Commerce, Conquest, and Colonization1300-1600
The Mongols:
- Nomads of the steppes of Central Asia in present-day Mongolia
- Sheep herders, skilled horsemen and raiders
- Chinese built the great wall to keep them out
- Chingiz (Genghis) Khan – “universal ruler” – united the Mongol clans by 1206, began annexing Chinese land
- Kublai Khan – grandson of Genghis, conquered all of China, received Marco Polo in his court – Marco Polo’s writings captivated Europeans who maintained a fascination for Eastern goods
- Westward expansion of Mongols into Europe halted when Genghis’ son died in 1241
Venetian Ambassadors to the Great KhanWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
The Head of Timur the LameWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
Map 11.1 The Mongol Successor StatesWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
Rise of the Ottoman Turks:
- Ottoman Turks: originally a nomadic group dependent on raiding, gradually converting to Islam
- Benefitted when Mongols wiped out the Islamic empires of the Seljuks in Anatolia and Abbasids in Baghdad
- This freed them up to raid soft targets, yet were far away from and not a threat to the Mongols
- Targeted crumbling Byzantine holdings
- Ottoman clan became leaders of Turks, served as mercenaries for Byzantines, could not be reigned in by them
- Battle of Kosovo, 1389: Ottomans Defeated Serb coalition force, took control of Balkans
Ottoman Rule:
- 1453 – Ottomans capture Constantinople, which they called Istanbul (“in the city”) – plundered city, enslaved inhabitants
- Conquest of Byzantines shocked Europeans, but did little to hurt trade w/ the east:
- that had always been conducted through Egyptian and Lebanese free cities
- Population of Istanbul grew to ½ mill – largest city outside China- Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II – “The Conqueror” – created empire
Sultan Mehmet II, “the Conqueror” (r. 1451–81)Western Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
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- Spoils of conquest and slavery dominated Ottoman economy
- Slaves used for gov’t admin, army, household, not as much for labor
Ottomans – War, Slavery, Society:
- Reliance on slavery led to perpetuating cycle of war & slavery
- Slavery – very little social stigma – they were often more important and influential than many Turks
- Muslims were banned from enslaving Muslims: a paradox – Christian slaves had exclusive access to soc/political influence in Ott. empire
- After conquest of Arabia, Egypt, & Jerusalem, Ott. Sultan adopted the title of caliph, successor to Muhammad
- Religiously tolerant, protected Orthodox Christians, who in return, were fiercely loyal to Ottomans
Ottoman Showdown with the West?
- Didn’t happen – here’s why:
- In W. Europe, split in Catholicism prevented unified anti-Ottoman effort
- Ottomans were unable to prevent East-West trade
- Crusader armies were crushed by Ottomans
- Ottomans preoccupied w/ conflict with Persians
- W. Europe preoccupied with Atlantic colonial pursuits
Map 11.2 The Growth of the Ottoman EmpireWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
European Exploration:Causes:
- Silver shortage due to mining limitations and flow of silver to spice islands created demand for new coinage
- Genoa, Venice, Catalonia (SE SP) – shipping & trading empires, colonized Med. islands, E. Atlantic Islands off Africa
- Technological advances – caravel ship, navigation maps and tools, advanced artillery made ships floating battle platforms
- Crusading spirit, search for legendary wealth of Prior John, Marco Polo’s journals
Portugal & the Route to India:
- Portugal captured North African ports, and colonized Islands off the west coast of Africa
- Gold and slaves were primary interests – sea route to spice islands and India occurred by accident
- Bartolomeu Diaz – blown off course around tip of S. Africa by storm
- Vasco da Gama – rounded S. Africa, sailed across Indian ocean to India & the center of the spice trade
- Militarily blockaded other spice routes, monopolized spice trade in Europe
Prince Henry the Navigator – Portuguese pioneer of their efforts toColonize, set up the slave trade, organized many exploration trips
The New Slavery:
Old Slavery:
- Mostly disappeared in NW Europe, still utilized in Ottoman Empire, Spain, Italy, elsewhere in Mediterranean
-Slaves were mostly Euro Christians from E. Europe- Not used in large-scale agricultural or factory-type production- Not racially based
- Racially based (Africans) - contributed to racist ideology
- Centered in Portugal at first
- Agricultural, colonial, plantation model
Spain, Exploration, and Conquest:- F & I funded Columbus’ voyages to challenge Portuguese supremacy
- Originally disappointed they found new land, not shortcut to East
- Columbus’ samples of gold & natives – offered hope of treasure slaves, and potential converts to Catholicism
- Spanish cannons, horses, steel, and germs overwhelmed New World empires of Aztecs and Incas
- Cortes conquered Aztecs, Pizarro the Incas
- Vast precious metals wealth extracted by Spain to give them Hegemony in Europe for decades
Map 11.3 Overseas Exploration in the Fifteenthand Sixteenth Centuries
Western Civilizations, Brief Third EditionCopyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company
Spanish GalleonWestern Civilizations, Brief Third Edition
Copyright © 2012 W.W. Norton & Company