Ch. 15: Section I: Europe Looks Outward (Pages ) This section is about: This section is about: How the Polo family ’ s travels to China encouraged European interest in the East and led to the search for direct trade routes to the area as well as the arrival of Christian missionaries from Europe. How the Polo family ’ s travels to China encouraged European interest in the East and led to the search for direct trade routes to the area as well as the arrival of Christian missionaries from Europe. How technological advancements encouraged exploration during this time. How technological advancements encouraged exploration during this time.

The Renaissance and Reformation were a big time in the history of the world – big changes come during/afterwards. We can see that in what the book has on page 336. Let ’ s also look at the picture on those pages. We should also look at the timeline.

Europe Looks Outward Look at the Main Ideas on page 338. Look at the Main Ideas on page 338. And… look at the “ Active Reading ” at the top right of the page. And… look at the “ Active Reading ” at the top right of the page. Since ancient times, people in Europe and Asia tried to trade with each other – and look for the easiest ways to get commodities back and forth. Since ancient times, people in Europe and Asia tried to trade with each other – and look for the easiest ways to get commodities back and forth. Before the big boats, they used caravans – across the land. Before the big boats, they used caravans – across the land. By the 1200 ’ s, the Silk Road had been around for a while and trade also included stops in the Middle East and their markets. By the 1200 ’ s, the Silk Road had been around for a while and trade also included stops in the Middle East and their markets. (things that can be bought or sold – or even just things of value)

Italian Traders Reach Europe In 1260, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo traveled to the western edge of the Mongol Empire (China/Asia). In 1260, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo traveled to the western edge of the Mongol Empire (China/Asia). In 1265, part of their group decided to go further. In 1265, part of their group decided to go further. This group had a chance to visit the court of Kublai Kahn – and see first- hand the city they had heard great stories about (Cathay had walls of silver and towers of gold). This group had a chance to visit the court of Kublai Kahn – and see first- hand the city they had heard great stories about (Cathay had walls of silver and towers of gold). The Polo brothers became friends with Kublai Kahn and became his ambassadors. (spokesmen) The Polo brothers became friends with Kublai Kahn and became his ambassadors. (spokesmen) They even carried letters back to the pope. They even carried letters back to the pope. On their next trip, they brought their son, Marco Polo. On their next trip, they brought their son, Marco Polo. Have you ever been somewhere special, liked it so much that you told all your friends they should go there? That ’ s what the Polo ’ s did. Have you ever been somewhere special, liked it so much that you told all your friends they should go there? That ’ s what the Polo ’ s did.

Tales of the East The Polos stayed in China for 17 years. The Polos stayed in China for 17 years. Marco took notes about what he saw and experienced. Marco took notes about what he saw and experienced. Back in Venice he wrote a book: The Travels of Marco Polo. Back in Venice he wrote a book: The Travels of Marco Polo. He wrote: Cathay ’ s capital had “ everything that is most rare and valuable in all parts of the world ” He wrote: Cathay ’ s capital had “ everything that is most rare and valuable in all parts of the world ” And about Japan – which had a palace with “ gold in the greatest abundance. ” And about Japan – which had a palace with “ gold in the greatest abundance. ”

Looking for New Trade Routes (High Prices for Eastern Goods) In the 1300 ’ s, Europeans used spices to season and preserve food (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pepper) and also used in cosmetics and perfumes and in medicines. In the 1300 ’ s, Europeans used spices to season and preserve food (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pepper) and also used in cosmetics and perfumes and in medicines. Goods had to go through many “ middle men ” to get back and forth, so they ended up being expensive. Goods had to go through many “ middle men ” to get back and forth, so they ended up being expensive. A cheaper way than all the trading was direct trade – if they could find a direct and safe route. A cheaper way than all the trading was direct trade – if they could find a direct and safe route. (1598)

Dangerous Land Routes When the Mongols ruled (controlled) Asia, things were pretty safe. When the Mongols ruled (controlled) Asia, things were pretty safe. When their empire broke up, no-one could promise a safe trip through Asia and the Middle East. When their empire broke up, no-one could promise a safe trip through Asia and the Middle East. And, the Ottoman Turks (Muslims) saw these European Christian traders as “ non- believers. ” And, the Ottoman Turks (Muslims) saw these European Christian traders as “ non- believers. ” By 1453, the Ottomans had blocked most trade routes to Europeans (Constantinople was open, but they controlled it). By 1453, the Ottomans had blocked most trade routes to Europeans (Constantinople was open, but they controlled it).

Spreading Christianity Missionaries Head East Besides trade, Europeans also wanted to travel east – to spread Christianity. Besides trade, Europeans also wanted to travel east – to spread Christianity. For religious reasons (save souls) and for political reasons – to have more Christians to fight the Muslims. For religious reasons (save souls) and for political reasons – to have more Christians to fight the Muslims. Monks had been traveling the same roads as Marco Polo – to try and convert the Mongols in the area. Monks had been traveling the same roads as Marco Polo – to try and convert the Mongols in the area. Several monks did end up visiting China (some even staying for the rest of their lives). Several monks did end up visiting China (some even staying for the rest of their lives).

Voyages with Several Purposes Europeans started their voyages of exploration during the time of the Renaissance. Europeans started their voyages of exploration during the time of the Renaissance. This was a time of great curiosity and independent thinking and action. This was a time of great curiosity and independent thinking and action. It was also a time of new technologies – many centering around new ships and their navigation. It was also a time of new technologies – many centering around new ships and their navigation. Page 341 (in “ “ ) – by Vasco da Gama: “ … to serve God and his Majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich as all men desire to do. ” Page 341 (in “ “ ) – by Vasco da Gama: “ … to serve God and his Majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich as all men desire to do. ” We usually call this: G, G, & G. We usually call this: G, G, & G. God, Glory, and Gold

Tools for Navigation The two most important sailing tools of the 1400 ’ s: The two most important sailing tools of the 1400 ’ s: A magnetic compass: helped point out direction. A magnetic compass: helped point out direction. An astrolabe: figured out latitude (their distance north/south of the equator). An astrolabe: figured out latitude (their distance north/south of the equator). They also began to get more detailed charts and maps to help their navigation (course of a ship). They also began to get more detailed charts and maps to help their navigation (course of a ship). They could explore some more and then make new maps of uncharted territories. They could explore some more and then make new maps of uncharted territories.

Ships for Long Trips There were 2 types of 15 th Century Ships: The Long Ship and the Round Ship. There were 2 types of 15 th Century Ships: The Long Ship and the Round Ship. A Long Ship had oars and sails: fast and easy to handle, but needed a large crew and had little room for anything else. A Long Ship had oars and sails: fast and easy to handle, but needed a large crew and had little room for anything else. Round Ship: sail power, less costly to run, and lots of storage for food/weapons. Also stronger and better in stormy weather. Round Ship: sail power, less costly to run, and lots of storage for food/weapons. Also stronger and better in stormy weather. There was a special type of a round ship… There was a special type of a round ship…

The Caravel Was a small, light ship with triangular sails. Was a small, light ship with triangular sails. It was easy to move about in changing winds and ocean currents. It was easy to move about in changing winds and ocean currents. With the sails, it could also sail into the wind. With the sails, it could also sail into the wind. It could also carry heavy weapons along it ’ s sides. It could also carry heavy weapons along it ’ s sides. But, they did require deep harbors, which many ports in Europe had to expand. But, they did require deep harbors, which many ports in Europe had to expand. …. ….