The Opening of the Atlantic and the Pacific 13 The Opening of the Atlantic and the Pacific

European Visions The Atlantic North Atlantic was home of raiders and sailors rather than traders (8th-12th centuries) Vikings were the major actors Were explorers and raiders Settled new areas and established cities such as Dublin Swedes (Vikings) moved eastward into Russia Became more peaceful after 1000 No records of non-Viking activities

Decline of Trade in the Mediterranean By 950, Mediterranean was “Muslim Lake” but consisted of different cultural zones Mediterranean now a war zone Trade continued but was affected by fluctuations in European economy European merchants frustrated by lack of link from Mediterranean to Indian Ocean Europeans seek alternative routes

Scandinavian and Arab Muslim, and East Slav invasions, 9th–10th centuries. Europe was subjected to repeated invasions that temporarily weakened the continent but then increased its power. The Vikings settled and developed Scandinavia, and their interaction with the Slavs gave shape to Russia. The Muslims brought with them an understanding of the culture of ancient Greece and Rome that Europeans had forgotten. (Adapted from The Times Atlas of World History, 5th edition. London. Times Books.)

Trade and Social Change in Europe Guilds/City-States Confront Rural Aristocrats Trade organized by guilds that controlled wages, prices, production, and job training Most were local; exception was Hanseatic League of Germany Controlled trade from London to Novgorod Faded with rise of new states such as Netherlands, England, and Sweden

Trade and Social Change in Europe Economic and Social Conflicts within the City Textile manufacturers dominated some cities Capitalist traders organized manufacture based on estimates of market demands Production organized hierarchically with lower pay for tasks at bottom of production process Women and children got even less pay Class antagonism led to revolts

Trade and Social Change in Europe Disasters of the 14th Century: Famine, Plague, and War Italian prosperity brought population growth and strain on natural resources Rural depopulation followed by mid-13th century Plague reduced European population from 70 million (1300) to 45 million (1400)

Trade and Social Change in Europe Social Unrest Follows the Plague Depopulation benefited survivors with higher wages and ability to buy land Ciompi (lowest class in Florence) demanded access to guilds, right to unionize, and participation in government Successes were short-lived

Trade and Social Change in Europe New Directions in Philosophy and Learning Renaissance based on new urban wealth Church renaissance from 11th century stressed intellectual dimension of faith Anselm, Abelard, and Bernard of Clairvaux New monastic orders sought ties to early church

Trade and Social Change in Europe New Directions in Philosophy and Learning [cont.] Intellectual opening to Arab world in 11th century Links through Spain Philosophers: Avicenna, Averroes, and Maimonides University emerged and promoted practical knowledge such as medicine, law, and theology

Trade and Social Change in Europe New Directions in Philosophy and Learning [cont.] St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) paved way for Renaissance (accepted ideas of Aristotle) Assemblage of bright minds promoted wide range of ideas, criticism of status quo and its leaders