Europe and the Changing World Balance

Was Europe a superior world civilization or was it by chance that they rose to power?

Decline of the Old Order 1200 Middle East still dominated by Byzantine empire in northwest and Islamic caliphate in Middle Eastern heartland- by 1400 structure in disarray 1453 Ottoman Turks take Constantinople

Social and Cultural Change By 1300 religion in Islamic world took on a powerful central role and gained the upper hand over poets, philosophers, and scientists As authority of caliphate declined, landlords seized power over peasantry, so from about 1100 onward, peasantry lost their freedom and became serfs Europeans began to begin challenging the authority of the Arabs over trade Political fragmentation did not produce prolonged confusion b/c Ottoman Turks regained most of the lands of the old caliphate

Power Vacuum in International Leadership Ottoman empire not the sole hub of trade as the old caliphate had once been Mongols developed first alternative framework with active interregional trading and decline brought up question of domination of international contacts and trade and turned attention to seaborne trade as land routes were disrupted

Chinese Thrust and Withdrawal 1368- drive out the Mongols New Ming dynasty until 1644 that revived expansionism and domination over neighboring regions 1400s- new policy of trading expeditions to southern Asia and beyond 1405-1433 admiral Zhenghe (Chinese Muslim) led the expeditions all the way to Africa but Confucian bureaucrats resented him 1433- halted expeditions- they were expensive and bureaucrats opposed them out of rivalry with other officials- reflected a preference for traditional expenditures rather than foreign Only Chinese merchant activity still active in SE Asia

The Rise of the West West’s emergence surprising in many ways- church in decline warrior class in decline passing of Medieval philosophy economy in disarray population in decline from famine (Little Ice Age and lower agricultural productivity), 1/3 of population died from Black Death (Bubonic Plague)

Sources of Dynamism: Medieval Vitality Strengthening of feudal monarchy led to more effective national governments Hundred Years’ War stimulated military organization Growth of cities helped economic activity Technology- especially ironworking- had advanced

Imitation and International Problems Mongol empire provided new access to Asian knowledge and technology (contrast to Africa) Internal European warfare and merchant zeal made western Europe an eager learner Increase in demand from Europeans of Asian goods and unfavorable balance of trade with Asia Fears of a new Muslim threat

Secular Directions in the Italian Renaissance 1400s Renaissance and humanism Italy the center of initial Renaissance culture Renaissance primarily a cultural movement Francesco Petrarch- Italian writer- glories of personal achievement Realism and perspective in art Italian commerce and shipping proved to be one of the building blocks of European outreach- Venice, Genoa

The Iberian Spirit of Religious Mission Pushed Muslims out of Spain After 1400 major regional monarchies established in provinces of Castile and Aragon- united in royal marriage in 1469 Spanish and Portuguese rulers had strong military and religious agenda Inquisition in Spain

Western Expansion: The Experimental Phase Early Explorations 1291- two brothers from Genoa left for the West Indies but never returned 1351 Europeans made it to Azores and then along African coast- maybe as far as Sierra Leone Until 1430 technological barriers prevented further exploration, then development of caravel, astrolabe, compass, better maps Vasco da Gama- 1498 first European to reach Indian by sea

Colonial Patterns Prince Henry the Navigator- Portugal 1439 Portugal had taken control of the Azores and soon Madeiras and Canaries Colonists quickly set up agricultural estates to grow crops for the European market- this would expand into the Americas, of course Portuguese first bring African slaves to work on the agricultural estates in islands off the Iberian coast

Outside the World Network Political Issues in the Americas Increasing difficulties in 1400 since Aztec rulers exploiting people for gold, slaves, religious sacrifices Inca system- differences in central leadership and local initiatives Adding up the Changes Role of technology crucial for the time period

Polynesia Expansion, Migration, and Conquest in Polynesia 7th century to 1400- key theme was expansion, ie. Hawaiian islands to the north With Neolithic technology and no use of metals Hawaiians created a complex culture on their islands, no written language Isolated Achievements by the Maori 8th century migration to southwest ( New Zealand) Polynesians in New Zealand called Maori Similar to Hawaiian islands in its societal organization Developed in isolation until 18th century when Europeans arrived and largely altered the culture

Combination of factors Was Europe a superior world civilization or was it by chance that they rose to power? Combination of factors Policy decisions by Chinese and Islamic caliphates Technology (guns, navigation, ship design) Individuals like Prince Henry