The West & the Changing Balance of Power Chapter 15, pg

Decline of the Old Order ► Byzantine & Arab decline, Turk & Mongol rise ► Science & philosophy increasingly struggle in the face of faith  example: Ibn Rushd & rise of Sufi Social & Cultural Change

Economically & Politically ► Agricultural productivity & trade dominance decline in Middle East ► Decline is less complete & chaotic than Roman fall ► No clear successor to old powers ► Two likely candidates:  China  Western Europe Power Vacuum Internationally

China ► Ming dynasty ( ) replaces Yuan ► New expansionist policies  Secure borders, reestablish influence, sponsor trading expeditions (Zhenghe) ► History may have been different, but… expansionist policies are ended  Marks crucial shift to internal concerns: ► Consolidating rule over territory ► Continuing development of economy, industry, & ag

The Rise of the West ► Emergence is surprising b/c of the West’s problems: ► Positives continue despite challenges:  Feudal monarchy strengthened  Military organization improved  Commercial capitalism continue to development  Technological advances made Sources of Dynamism

Imitation & International Problems ► Imitation  W. Europe = ideal position to benefit from Mongols ► Problems  W. Europe = trade imbalance  W. Europe fear of Muslims & need for alternative route

Renaissance ► Based on Roman traditions ► Focused on art with nonreligious themes & personal achievement ► Innovation in realism of art & neoclassical architecture ► Weaknesses of Renaissance:  Still largely elite, Italian, & medieval ► Strengths of Renaissance:  New government trends, innovative explorer spirit

Renaissance

Iberian Spirit of Religion ► New regional monarchies established  Ferdinand & Isabella ► Effective militaries ► Strong religious promotion

Western Expansion: Experimenting ► Emergence is surprising b/c of the West’s problems: ► Positives continue despite challenges:  Feudal monarchy strengthened  Military organization improved  Commercial capitalism continue to development  Technological advances made Early Explorations

Colonial Patterns ► Spain & Portugal: further exploration & use of explored lands ► Henry the Navigator  Symbolic of period ► Development of colonies  West introduces cash crops  West creates new use of commercial slavery

Outside the World Network Americas ► Political issues include :  Aztecs = Resentation builds among subjects from exploitation  Incas = Growing tension b/t central & local gov Polynesia ► Culture spread to Hawaii & New Zealand  Hawaii =  Maori =

Global Connections Changes ► Muslim trade & Indian Ocean-based trade ↓ ► Mongol interruption & land-based trade ↓ ► Rise of Chinese activity & sea-based trade ↓ ► Leadership in flux Continuity ► Growing dependence of interregional trade

QUESTION SLIDE West & Changing Balance of Power ► In what ways does the compass symbolize the themes of the chapter?

QUESTION SLIDE Retrospective: Contacts & their Limits ► What are the hallmark characteristics of the postclassical period? ► After studying the period, do you agree will the periodization? Should the time periods have been grouped or divided differently?