A Changing World and Early Exploration Chapter 1, Sections 3 and 4

The Rise of Trade Between 1 A.D. and 1000 A.D. Africa and China become world leaders in trade.

African Trade Goods GOLD

African Trade Goods SALT

African Trade Goods IVORY

Chinese Trade Goods SILK

Chinese Trade Goods SPICES

Chinese Trade Goods JADE

TRADE Middle East becomes a center of trade.

European Religions Judaism: First major world religion that taught monotheism, belief in one God. People who follow the Hebrew Bible and the teachings of Moses and the Ten Commandments. Christianity: monotheistic Belief in a Messiah (Savior) Chosen by God. Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.

Middle Eastern Religion Islam: emerged on the Arab peninsula around 600AD. It was founded by Muhammad. Muslims use the Quran as their sacred book. Like Christianity and Judaism, followers of Islam believe that there is only one god. The growth in trade in the Middle East also lead to a rise in Islam.

Expanding Horizons In 1095, Europeans launched a series of expeditions known as the Crusades. The Crusades were a European Christian attempt to regain the “Holy Land” (current day Israel) from Muslims.

MUSLIM KNIGHTS

EUROPEAN KNIGHTS

Expanding Horizons Additional pictures of the Crusades.

Expanding Horizons While in the Middle East European soldiers traded with Arab merchants. European soldiers returned home and told stories of sugar, silk and other goods from China and India. The Crusades exposed Europe to new ideas, TRADE, and possibilities.

The Growth of Trade and Ideas European merchants realized they could make a fortune selling goods from Asia and India. European merchants would buy goods from Arab traders. Europeans would have to send purchased items overland by caravans to the Mediterranean Sea and then by ships to Italian ports.

Marco Polo One of these merchants was a man named Marco Polo. In 1271, he set off from Venice, Italy on a great trek across Asia to China. He traveled to China on camelback. It took him three years to reach China. When he finally reached the palace of Kublai Khan (emperor of China) he had traveled a total of 7,000 miles.

Marco Polo Picture of a young Marco Polo.

Marco Polo Why was Marco Polo important to history? After 17 years Marco Polo returns to Europe. He brings back lavish items such as silk, cinnamon, spices, and perfumes. Europeans instantly fall in love with these new found Asian treasures. In 1296 Marco Polo writes a book entitled “Travels” which talked about the marvels of Asia.

Marco Polo Marco Polo’s book “Travels” would later inspire people such as Christopher Columbus who would try to find a quicker route to Asia.

The Growth of Trade and Ideas Map of the Mediterranean Sea

The Growth of Trade and Ideas As the demand for Asian goods increased, Europeans began looking for a route to the East (Asia). What would be the benefit of finding a new route to Asia?

The Growth of Trade and Ideas Silk Road: 5,000 mile route in which goods from China would be sent to the Middle East.

How Precious Goods Got To Europe European merchants would then sell these items to the citizens of European countries as well as monarchs (kings and queens). Arab merchants would sell these same items to European merchants who delivered the items to Europe via caravans, ship and the Mediterranean Sea. Arab merchants would purchase these luxury items from Asian merchants. Asian merchants (from China and India) would send valuable items across land to the Middle East via the “Silk Road”.

The Growth of Trade and Ideas So here is the big question: How and why did this type of trade inspire exploration?

The Growth of Trade and Ideas European merchants and monarchs wanted more of the good stuff! European merchants and monarchs wanted to get the good stuff more efficiently! European merchants and monarchs wanted to get the good stuff at a cheaper price! European merchants and monarchs wanted to get filthy stinkin rich!!!

Renaissance In the 1300’s Europe experienced a Renaissance. A renaissance is a “rebirth” or renewed interest in classical learning. Because of this renaissance people created new ideas and wanted to learn more about the world.

Powerful Nations Emerge During the 1400’s Europe experienced an increase in population. Merchants and bankers wanted to extend their business through foreign trade.

New Technology Printing Press: Allowed information to be communicated faster and to larger populations Astrolabe: allowed sailors to navigate their ships by determining their latitude at sea by measuring the position of the stars.

The Impact of Technology Caravel: a ship developed by the Portuguese. The caravel had three sails, was faster and could carry more cargo than previous ships.

Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was a move against the Catholic Church. Many individuals believed the Catholic Church was becoming corrupt and sought an alternative way to worship. The corruption in the Catholic Church was put on display by Martin Luther. In the 1500’s people had divided ideas about religion. European nations became divided into Catholics and Protestants. Eventually, Spanish and French Catholics would work to spread their faith to Native Americans. Dutch and English Protestants would establish colonies along the Atlantic coast in an effort to practice their beliefs in peace.

Protestant Reformation Martin Luther

Powerful Nations Emerge By 1400 strong monarchs (kings and queens) come into power in Spain, Portugal, England and France. Kings and Queens wanted to increase their land holding.

Seeking New Trade Routes Interesting Information: The maps that Christopher Columbus and other early European explorers used did not include America. At this time they did not realize that North America and South America even existed. Early maps showed only three continents; Europe, Asia and Africa.

Seeking New Trade Routes Portugal was the first European country to explore the boundaries of the known world. The country’s rulers wanted to find a new route to China and India. In addition, European countries, such as Portugal, began sending ships around the west coast of Africa.

Early Portuguese Expeditions Bartolomeu Dias: was the first individual to sail around the southern tip of Africa. Vasco da Gama: Da Gama sailed around the coast of Africa and eventually found an eastern sea route to Asia

Early Portuguese Expeditions The path of Vasco Da Gama