1.2 europe before_1492
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American History IUnit 1, Section 1, Notes 2TRANSCRIPT
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Europe before 1492 and
the Reasons for Exploration
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European Social Organization
A Hierarchical Society
Monarch
Greater Nobles
Lesser Nobles and the Church
Peasants made up more than 90% of the population
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Peasants - tied to their noble’s land - could not freely leave- heavily taxed by their ‘Lord’
The Church supported the feudal system and had its own wealth and had power over Kings and the nobility
A Feudal Political & Economic System- Those on top of the system offered land and protection- Those below gave loyalty and military support
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Factors encouraging European Exploration
The Crusades - Between the 11th and 13th centuries Europeans, directed by the Church, Europeans unsuccessfully attempted to conquer the Near East, ‘the Holy Land’, from the groups who occupied the region. - Exposure to the East increased the demand for eastern goods, decline in church influence, and a decline in the noble classes
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Population Recovery and Growth - the end of the Hundred Years War in Northern Europe and the end of the Plague led to a rise in population and the need for more territory
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Renaissance Spirit - a ‘rebirth in learning’ that began in Italy during the 1300’s - led to increased interest in classical Greece and Rome - a focus on individual achievement - a desire to gain knowledge about the world,
which encouraged exploration
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Prince Henry the Navigator in Portugal - beginning in the early 1400’s - he supported the education of navigators - Encouraged the development of improved sailing technology - pushed for exploration of African coast
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Growth of Commerce - wealth generated by trade instead of land ownership - an emerging merchant class, outside the feudal structure - led to a desire for new routes to the East, more natural resources and markets for trade
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Rise of the Nations and Monarchs - European Monarchs had increased power, and with it an increased desire for more wealth & land
Henry VIII of England Francis I of France
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Fall of Constantinople - Constantinople was at the crossroads of Europe and Asia- The Ottoman Turks captured the city in 1453 - they limited Europe’s overland access to the Far East - this encouraged exploration for new routes to Asia by sea. - Classical texts recovered by fleeing scholars further spurred the
Renaissance in Italy.
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Advances in Sailing Technology - Advances in navigation: compass and astrolabe - Advances in ships: the lateen sail, ballast, bilge pump- A new kind of ship, the caravel, incorporated these advances- These improved ships were able to travel along coastlines and across open water
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Reformation
- In 1517 Martin Luther began the division of the Christian Church. - The divided church led to: a decline in Church influence in many governments, religious conflict, & a desire for more religious freedom
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- Together these factors encouraged Europeans to explore the African coast and then venture across the Atlantic Ocean.
- This would lead to the opening of the Americas to exploration and colonization