Chapter 16 THE WEST AND THE CHANGING WORLD BALANCE – The West The shifting balance of power among civilizations in Asia, Africa and Europe changed the nature of international contact

The church under attack Time of disarray – plague, famines Rise of West 14th & 15th centuries – were backward Medieval institutions changing The church under attack Time of disarray – plague, famines (population outstripped food supplies and no new productions techniques to increase production) Demographic and economic disruptions

Stronger feudal monarchy – provided effective government AND YET… Key advances in medieval society made it possible for Western Europe to rise to a power Stronger feudal monarchy – provided effective government Military innovations – military organization, non-aristocratic soldiers for pay due to Hundred Years’ War – strengthened central government Growth of cities and urban economies spurred commercial sector Church accepted capitalist principles such a profit making Technological innovations – ironwork, clocks

explorations to find alternative routes to Asian goods that avoided Additional factors favoring the rise of Western Europe Copying Asian technologies and knowledge Unfavorable balance of trade Fear of Ottomans led to explorations to find alternative routes to Asian goods that avoided Muslim routes gold shortage

Italian Renaissance more secular art & literature cultural & political movement - from urban vitality & commerce city-states support merchants seeking new markets

cultural movement begins in Florence realistic paintings perspective Inspired by ancient Greece and Rome early – not a full break from Medieval ideals the individual is central little impact outside of Italy culture not science innovations in music Italian commerce increases – personal glory

Iberian Peninsula change stimulates west’s surge into world Castile & Aragon - regional monarchies religious & military agenda - convert or expel Muslims & Jews link between church & state

Exploration late 13th century - Atlantic south along West African coast Chinese compass & astrolabe (Arabs) better ships map making improves colonies – Azores, Canary Islands

Prince Henry of Portugal - gave land grants - colonists took plants, animals & diseases to new areas key factors for exploration - scientific and cultural curiosity - spread Christianity - financial gain Introduced colonization: - Madeiras and Canaries - glimpse into the future; what would happen later in larger scale - cash crops produced for western markets; sugar, cotton, tobacco - slaves introduced

Americas not part of international exchange disadvantage when outsiders intervene Americas Aztecs cresting resentments among subjected peoples Incas have tension between central & local leadership European invasion changed dynamics of Americas

What accounts for the relative rise of the west? strengthening of feudal monarchies more effective governments military innovations (100 years war) growth of urban areas technology advances (weapons, ironwork, clocks) church accepts capitalistic ideas of profit making imitate technology from China desires for Asian luxuries fear of Ottoman Empire find other routes to East

Describe the nature of the Italian Renaissance Describe the nature of the Italian Renaissance. In what way was it a strictly Italian experience? more secular ideas for art, literature realism & perspective in art cultural movement architecture from Gothic to classical Greek & Roman focus on high culture, not popular culture little interest in science beginning of exploration & desire for personal glory Italian b/c more contact with Roman tradition, led Europe in banking & trade, commerce & cities led to more wealth to sponsor culture

What was the nature of early western exploration and colonial patterns? Atlantic islands off of North Africa (Canaries, Azores, Madeiras) along African west coast 1430 – technology helps further exploration (compass, astrolabe) grant land to colonists (plants, animals, diseases) produce cash crops to sell in Europe slaves

What accounts for the relative decline of civilizations outside the world network? Aztec disunity, resentment from subjects Inca trying to control vast areas (central leadership vs. local control) Polynesian spread isolation

Summarize the transitions taking place in world history ca. 1400. new technologies ( opportunities to copy Asian) European initiative in weapons & ships role of individuals decline of Arabs reduces Africa’s contact with international world Europeans becoming more adventurous, taking over world trade China isolates itself Ottoman empire not concerned with trade (decline of Muslim influence in trade)

more change than absolute decline Respond to the statement that the relative rise of the West after the 14th century was not so much the result of Western innovation as the decline of civilizations in the Middle East & Asia. more change than absolute decline end of Abbasid, rise of Seljuk Turks, disruption of Mongols led to rise of Ottoman Turks Muslim trade empire disintegrates –Ottomans not interested in it door opens for western trade expansion China – no political disruption brief expansion of trade then withdrawal left opportunities open for west in Asia fear of Ottomans led to exploration & new trade routes

Discuss the differences between the world of 1500 & that of 1250. demise of Mongol empires led to disruption of links connecting eastern hemisphere relative decline in ME as trade empire fragmented rise of Ottoman empire major political factor Russian independence from Mongols creates new civilization Ming reasserts traditionalism Aztec & Inca empires disintegrating from internal problems Polynesian groups remain isolated & primitive Renaissance in Italy challenges medieval culture Westerners beginning to explore and attempt to gain control of worldwide trade beginning of change in international leadership & dynamism