Warm-UpWhat did the 'Birth of Agriculture' allow

the early people to do?

Exploring the Americas:

1400 - 1625

• 1A Changing World

Expanding Horizons After the fall of Roman Empire…

European world dominated by Catholic Church But Holy Land now dominated by Islam Christians fear Islam in Holy Land = loss of

Holy Land

1095CE- Europeans launch Crusades 9 wars of Christians trying to boot

Muslims out 1st contact w/ Arab world

Arab traders sold goods from China and India Salt, spices, sugar, silks, etc. No refrigeration yet

Salt and spices preserve meat

1296CE- Marco Polo returns from China Brings back all kinds of goodies never

seen Begins writing book about his trip and

coolness of Asia Inspires Columbus (supposedly)

Most Important? Why?

Growth of TradeTraders could make a fortune

selling these goodsRich Europeans wanted these

spices, perfumes, silks and stones Cost was high because of

“middlemen” Travel over land was expensive

and dangerous Thieves waited along “Silk Road”

Began to look for all-water route to bypass Arab merchants and thieves by road2 Options

Around Africa Sailing West to get East

Earth is a sphere

Why take to the sea?

The Renaissance1300’s-

Powerful renewal of intellectual and artistic creativity

French word meaning ‘rebirth’

Began in Italy but spread across Europe over next 200 years

Renaissance changes way Europeans think of themselves and worldEncouraged them to pursue

new ideas and set goals Gives birth to ‘Age of

Exploration’ and discovery

Visual Vocab

The Perfect StormNeed 4 Spices, esp SALT

(cut out the Middle Men)+

Dangers of the Silk Road(look for another way)

+ Renaissance Thinking

(willingness to TRY new ideas)+

King’s Desire 4 POWER(control trade route-control trade. Control trade-gain more $$$. More

$$$-more POWER.)+

Better Technology(compass, astrolabe, rudder, caravel ships)

+______________________________________

Equals What?

AGE OF EXPLORATION!!!

Powerful Nations Emerge1400’s- population begins to

increaseMerchants want more $$$

Think if they can cut out middlemen make larger profit

Up till now Europe patchwork of small countriesPolitical power divided among

local rulers1400’s- powerful monarchs take

over Spain, Portugal, England, France Began to est. national laws, courts,

taxes, and armies New powerful kings looking for

ways to increase trade, power, and wealth

MercantilismVisVoc

Technology’s ImpactBetter Maps

Problem for early navigators going off of mistaken info from

traders and travelers Gradually got better

Using reports of explorers

New maps showed current directions Showed lines of latitude

Better tools invented to help Astrolabe

Measured position of stars to determine location

Acquired magnetic compass from Chinese Could determine direction of

sailing

Better Ships Advances in ship design

Allow for long, ocean voyages Stern rudder and triangular sail

Possible to sail against current, & into wind

Stole idea from Arabs

Late 1400’s- Portugal invents 3- masted

caravel Ship w/ 3 sails Faster and could carry more supplies Float in shallow water

Spain and Portugal want their piece of spice trade from Italy

Begin race to find all-water route to Asia around Africa Starts “Age of Exploration”

How Technology?