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Reasons for European Exploration Cornell Notes 2
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Europeans developed a sophisticated, competitive environment The population and technology boomed during this time The need for Spices and to save money drove them to explore
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The time period after the fall of the Roman Empire is known as the Middle Ages (500 – 1500 CE) Europe was struggling through this difficult period of time During the Middle Ages: Trade and communication were limited City populations declined as people moved to the countryside
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A.Feudalism ◦ Definition: Feudalism - governmental system which vassals/serfs pledged loyalty to a lord/king in exchange for land and protection. ◦ This was a medieval land management system gave monarchies their power in Europe ◦ Under feudalism, many people lived on manors Financial Reason: Land equals power (Europe wanted more land)
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“God Wills it” – Urban II B.Crusades ◦ The Seljuk Turks (a Muslim group) stopped Christians from visiting the holy places ◦ Pope Urban II called on Christians for a holy war to control Jerusalem ◦ These continued off and on for more than 150 years
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Financial Reasons to Explore “Avoiding the Middle Man” ◦ Effects of the Crusades: Distrust of Muslim merchants Europe began craving more exotic foods Europeans wanted stuff that actually tastes good (Spices)
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Silk Road Silk Road is an interconnected system of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting Asia to Europe Since the Crusades, Europe began to look for other ways to get these exotic goods such as spices Financial Reason: The Middle East was a middle man in the Silk Road – This middle man (Muslims) cost Europeans a lot of money
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C. European Monopolies ◦ Definition: Monopoly - One person or company having sole control of a product or business D. New sea trade routes to Asia
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Religion: the Catholic Church ◦ The Catholic Church was the center of religious and social life in the Middle Ages ◦ The Catholic Church greatly influenced politics in Europe ◦ Many people felt that the Catholic Church was too powerful – escape persecution, freedom of religion
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Politics: More rights for the common man ◦ Many people felt that Europeans governments were too strong and powerful so they were limiting a person’s right to live ◦ The everyday person volunteered to go to America to find new hope, freedom
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Other European Reasons to go the Americas ◦ Magna Carta: (the Great Charter) In 1215, King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta This document protected some individual rights and restricted the authority of the monarchy. The Magna Carta was an important example the United States used while drafting the Bill of Rights.
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