Unit 1.4 Europe

I. European Life leading up to 1492 A. Life in Middle Ages (1000AD) in West. Europe 1. Feudalism- system of interlocking loyalties in Medieval Society

Roman Catholic Church most powerful governing body b. Kings & Queens divided kingdoms into smaller units run by Nobles or Lords c. Lords protected by lesser nobles (knights) d. Most of population in low class

2. Villages (Manors) lived like separate islands a. Manors completely self-sufficient b. No connections between manors c. All land owned by lord or noble d. Manor dwellers (low class) called serfs

1) Farmed land & maintained roads 2) Bound to land 3) Not allowed to leave land w/out lord’s permission 4) Simple homes & furnishings 5) Food & clothing had little variety

B. Why life in Western Europe began to change? 1. Due to wars a. Muslims (followers of Islam) invade Europe 1) Islam grew out of Middle East in mid 600’s

2) Mohammad -prophet who began spreading word 3) Spread from ME thru North Africa & up into Spain b. Christians angered by Muslims 1) Muslims had captured Holy Land (Jerusalem) 2) Christianity banded manors & people together

c. 1095 Pope called for WAR against Muslims to regain lost land d. Wars became known as “The Crusades” 1) Christians & Muslims fought for 200 yrs 2) Crusades helped increase trade

2. Knights learned new more comfortable ways of life a. Spices (pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, & ginger) b. Soap & to bathe more often c. New medicines & dyes d. New fabrics & silks

3. Italian Merchants carry Eastern goods to Europe a. Increased demand for goods & improved trade made road improvement necessary b. Towns would eventually develop around marketplaces

4. Travelers’ tales awaken European interest in Asia - Marco Polo tells about the wonders of Asia 1) 17 yrs old from Venice Italy 2) Gone for 24 years (1271- 1295) 3) Stories fueled interest

5. The Middle Class Develops a. Increased trade & travel gave people opportunity b. Became merchants, moneychangers, & artisans- skilled workers (shoemakers, weavers, bakers etc) c. Gave them more power & a voice in how they were governed d. Feudalism was weakened- alliance to monarchy remained e. Nationalism- love for & loyalty for one’s country developed

6. A New Age (1400- 1600) a. Great changes caused people to question old thinking b. Renaissance (rebirth)- Period in Europe when people began to explore new ideas & make important scientific discoveries c. Art & Literature also greatly affected by new way of thinking

7. Inventions & Improvement Make long ocean voyages possible a. Before Crusades people barely traveled b. Reading & writing mainly done by priests (latin) - W/ more interaction & exchange of ideas the need for reading & writing increased

c. New instruments aid Sailors 1) Compass developed for direction 2) Latitude & Longitude system was developed for location

d. New Method of Printing invented 1) (1440’s) - movable type made printing quicker & easier (300 pgs per day) Johann Gutenberg 2) Helped spread ideas & document travels for others to follow & build upon a) 1456- 1st printed book = The Bible

8. Power of the Church Threatened a. Accessibility of the Bible showed that Christianity simple b. Made people see that Church had become too big & rich- began to break away c. Further strengthening each Nation’s Monarchy