1. Chapter 1
Section 2

2. Terms and People
Middle Ages – Period in European history from the 5th century through the 14th century marked by an absence of effective central government
Renaissance – Period in European history lasting from the 14th-16th century, which ushered in a more secular age and encouraged freedom of thought, the importance of the individual, and renewed interest in classical learning.
Reconquista – prolonged battle, ending in 1492, that reestablished Spanish Christian rule on the Iberian Peninsula after 700 years of Muslim dominance.
Prince Henry the Navigator – leader who directed Portuguese efforts to sail into the Atlantic, spread Christianity, and outflank Muslim domination of trade

3. How did Europeans begin to explore more of the world?
New ideas swept through Europe during the 1400’s, causing enormous cultural, economic, and technological changes.
Europeans began to look beyond their shores on a quest of exploration and discovery that would change Europe and much of the world

4. After collapse of the Roman Empire, the early years of the Middle Ages were marked by:
The absence of an effective central government
The constant threat of famine, disease, and foreign invasion.

5. But as new institutions and ideas slowly took hold, a new civilization emerged in Europe
Most of the surviving population lived in the countryside, and the economy was overwhelmingly agricultural.
Europe was recovering from the effects of the bubonic plague, which had killed about a third of all Europeans during the 1340’s.

6. Cities and towns were growing in Northern Italy and the Netherlands
Artisans produced cloth, tools, and other goods in city workshops.
Cities were also centers of trade.

7. A ruling elite of less than 5 percent of the population controlled almost all of the land
Royalty and Aristocrats:
A monarch was at the top of the social pyramid in each kingdom.
Aristocrats inherited social rank, title, and landed estates worked by peasants.

8. Ruling elite, cont. Church leaders and merchants:
The elite also included leaders of the Roman Catholic Church
Wealthy merchants shipped cargoes between cities for profit.

9. Under the domination of this small elite class were the commoners
Middle Class families:
These families owned enough property to employ themselves as farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers.
They accounted for only a fifth of the population.
The Working poor:
In good years, they farmed on rented land or worked for pay, and in bad years, many were beggars.
They accounted for three-fifths of the population

10. Kingdoms The kingdoms were often at war over land and power
Each was ruled by a monarch who depended on the elite class to do much of the governing.
The most important kingdoms in Western Europe were Castile, Portugal, France, and England.

11. Despite their rivalries, many Europeans united in the common cause of capturing and controlling the Holy Land
During the latter half of the Middle Ages, European Christians and Southwest Asian Muslims fought one another in a series of religious wars known as the Crusades.
In the end, the Muslims defeated the Christian Crusaders.

12. Crusades had lasting effects that benefitted the people of Europe
Europeans became aware of distant lands and different ways of life
Soldiers returned home with exotic goods
Demand for these products soared, and European traders expanded their businesses into Asia

13. European Renaissance had begun
Trade with and knowledge of other lands expanded
The wealth generated from trade fueled further exploration
The development of the printing press made books more widely available
Literature promoted new ideas

14. Christians felt hemmed in by the superior wealth, power, and technology of the Muslims, whose realm included:
North Africa
Areas around the southern and eastern Mediterranean Sea
Parts of Eastern Europe and Southeast, Southwest, and Central Asia.

15. Reconquista
On the Iberian Peninsula, the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, and Portugal were waging the Reconquista
In some places, violent conflicts continued between Christians and Muslims
They hoped to drive out the Muslim Moors, who had ruled Iberia for centuries

16. Marriage of Prince Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
In 1469, they married creating Spain
In 1492, the monarchs won the Reconquista by capturing the Muslim stronghold of Granada
Spain and Portugal were now well-situated to seek new trade routes and expand European influence.

17. Prince Henry the Navigator
Starting in 1419, he led early efforts at exploration and expansion of trade
He founded a school of navigation
He sponsored expeditions down the west coast of Africa.

18. Technological innovations helped the Portuguese take the early lead in sailing into the Atlantic Ocean
Sailors used the compass, the astrolabe, and the quadrant to determine their location and direction
Shipbuilders created the sturdy caravel, capable of sailing hundreds of miles.