1. Explorers Reach the Americas 1000-1498 A Changing Europe PDN/LEQ: Why did people want to explore? What were they looking for?

2. The causes of expansion Gold –Europeans had been exposed to products like silk, spices, and tea which could not be produced in Europe. Explorers were often traders looking for new routes to the places where they could buy these products. Glory –When an explorer returned from an expedition where they had discovered a new land they were treated like a celebrity and knew they would be remembered by history. God –Europeans were Christians and many wanted to spread their religion to other people.

3. The Norse in North America Norse are people who lived in Northern Europe, present-day Sweden, Norway, and Denmark Leif Eriksson Sagas – Norse legends

4. Europe and the Middle Ages Feudal System – where the owner of the land controls both land and people –Did not allow many people to move or advance beyond the place in society they had been born in Serfs – landless peasants Little activity occurred between different towns during this time period. This caused trade to decline.

5. Decline of the Feudal System Between the 1300 and 1400’s the feudal system began to change as many people wanted more freedoms. 1347 – 1352 Black Death Middle Class – Unlike lords, these business people focused on trade and communication

6. Crusades to the Holy Land 1071 – a group of Muslims took control of Jerusalem, a city considered Holy by many religions. The Catholic Church was outraged and called for Christians in Europe to unite and set the Holy Land free. A set of wars took place between 1096- 1270 called the Crusades.

7. Rise of Nations in Europe The Crusades against Muslims exposed Europeans to new ideas and to new products. –Science and technology Merchants and monarchs grew wealthy by trading goods around the world. –The monarchs showed their strength by setting up large kingdoms that became France, England, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

8. Marco Polo Was born in Venice, Italy Traveled with his father and uncle over 7,000 miles across the Middle East and Asia Returned to Italy in 1295 and told stories about everything he saw and the people he had met Wrote a book about his travels called “Description of the World”

9. Rebirth Renaissance – revival of interests in learning and knowledge that occurred in Europe between 1300’s – 1600 Period of creativity and experiments –Artists –Writers –Scientists

10. Ticket Out List two things you learned about Marco Polo.