Post on 30-Dec-2015
The European WorldWhy Europeans Sought a New
World, and a New Life
6 Factors Shaped Europe • Feudalism
• Crusades
• Growth of Cities/ Money Economy
• Renaissance
• Reformation
• Growth of Technology
Feudalism• After Roman Empire fell apart, Viking
warriors controlled Northern Europe– pillaged, burned, terrorized
• To keep stability, feudal lords protected and controlled land/“manors”
• Serfs were tied to land/ served lords• Catholic Church controlled spiritual
and daily lives of Christians
Crusades• Islam
– arose in 600 A.D.– spread across N. Africa, Spain– captured Jerusalem – holy city for Christians,
Muslims and Jews
• Catholic church organized Crusades against Muslims in the middle east (1096-1291)
• The crusaders lost, but the crusades:– Increased Europeans’ awareness of world– Created demand for Asian goods– Created a shipping/trading industry
Growth of Cities/ Money Economy
• Crusades/ Marco Polo created demand for foreign goods
• Merchants set up centers of trade, leading to development of new cities
• Merchants artisans = new middle class• Created a money economy• Eventually broke down feudal system• Increased power of monarchs
Renaissance - rebirth• Rise of Universities led to new curiosity
• New translations of Greek & Roman works
• Black Death led to loss of religious faith
• Wealth of merchants created demand for art
• Printing press led to greater distribution of knowledge/ literature
• Created a new drive to know and learn more – to experiment and try out new ideas
Reformation• New translations of the Bible, printing
press, anger at Church corruption lead to protest against church
• Martin Luther creates protestant movement
• Henry VIII/ Elizabeth I make England a protestant nation
• Leads to creation of a lot of smaller religion groups
Seafaring Technology• Portuguese, seeking to develop new trade
routes with Asia, sail to & around Africa
• Develop knowledge of ocean wind patterns
• Compass, astrolabe & quadrant
• Greater knowledge of astronomy
• Creates ability to sail across oceans
• Creates competition between Portugal & Spain