1. Reasons for European Exploration Cornell Notes 2

2.  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

3.  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

4. 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)

6. “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

7. 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)

8.  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

9. C. European Monopolies ◦ Definition: Monopoly - One person or company having sole control of a product or business  D. New sea trade routes to Asia

10.  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

11.  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

12. 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.