1. Chapter 2, The Rise of the Atlantic World

2. West African Life & Empires
The empire of Mali & later the Songhai in West Africa would be the primary empires Europeans would come into contact with
It is important to understand differences which existed between African & European culture which allowed the eventual development of African slavery
Tracing family lineage/marriage
Land ownership
Religion
Slavery

3. Life in Europe
In Europe, the feudal system was beginning to decline due to a number of factors
Crusades/Plague
Renaissance
Movement of people into cities

4. Religious Upheaval
It is important to remember the dominance of the Catholic church up until this time
Martin Luther & John Calvin would lead revolts against the Catholic church & found their own faiths
The Church of England would be started by King Henry VIII

5. European Rivalry
Mercantilism would drive the countries of Europe to expand their empires
Portugal would be the first to establish sea trading routes around the continent of Africa
Other European nations would soon follow, most notably Spain