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