1. Chapter 2: Exploring the Americas Essential Question: What events and technological advances paved the way for European exploration?

2. Section One: A Changing World The Crusades For centuries after the Roman Empire fell, Western Europe was ruled by the Catholic Church and isolated from the rest of the world Islam spread across Middle East and Africa In 1095, Europeans launched the first of nine expeditions known as the Crusades, to regain control of Holy Land from Muslims The Crusades brought western Europeans into contact with the Middle East, sparking an interest in Asian goods

3. Section One: A Changing World Marco Polo European interest in Asia grew after Marco Polo returned from China He wrote a book about his trip in 1296 called Travels, which was widely read in Europe Travels inspired Christopher Columbus to sail in search of Asia

4. Section One: A Changing World Main Idea: The Renaissance began in the Italian city-states and spread throughout Europe. Renaissance textbook video

5. Section One: A Changing World The Renaissance: Began in Italy in the 1300s and lasted for two centuries Spread throughout Europe Means “rebirth” in French renewed interest in the classical (ancient Greek and Roman) learning paved the way for an age of exploration

6. Section One: A Changing World Powerful Nations Emerge By 1400s, strong monarchs came to power in European countries Looked for ways to increase trade and make countries stronger and wealthier Europe wanted to trade directly with the East What goods did wealthy Europeans desire from the East?

7. Section One: A Changing World Technology’s Impact Main idea: Technology produced better means of navigation and paved the way for European voyages of exploration How did the invention of the printing press in the 1450s contribute to a growing interest in exploration and travel?

8. Section One: A Changing World Better Maps and Instruments Cartographers were able to create more accurate maps with the help of explorers and Arab geographers Maps began to include lines of latitude (the distance north and south of the equator) and the direction of ocean currents

9. Section One: A Changing World Better Maps and Instruments Astrolabe- instrument that measured the position of the stars Magnetic compass- allowed sailors to find their direction when they were far from land Caravel: the first and most famous ship of the European age of exploration sailed faster float in shallow water carried more food/cargo

10. Section One: A Changing World African Kingdoms Main idea: Ghana, Mali,and Songhai were among the most powerful empires in Africa

11. Section One: A Changing World Ghana- A Trading Empire A.D. 400- A.D. 1100 Traded gold, ivory, and slaves with North Africa for salt, cloth, and brass Trading contacts led many West Africans to become Muslims Became wealthy from taxes imposed on trade Almoravids attacked Ghana and disrupted trade routes, ultimately causing the decline of the Ghana trading empire

12. Section One: A Changing World Mali-A Powerful Kingdom Gold mines enriched Mali which was mostly agricultural Mansa Musa- powerful and famous king Returned to Mali after a pilgrimage to Makkah in 1324 with an Arab architect Built great mosques in the capital of Timbuktu Timbuktu became an important center of Islamic art and learning

13. Section One: A Changing World The Songhai Empire Askiya Muhammad led Songhai in an uprising against Mali rule Askiya introduced laws based on the Quran Organized Songhai into provinces and established sophisticated government system In the late 1500s, Songhai was defeated by Moroccans

14. Chapter 2: Exploring the Americas Essential Question: What events and technological advances paved the way for European exploration?