1. EUROPE PRE-EXPLORATION

2. THE DARK AGES PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND THE RISE OF EUROPEAN MONARCHS 476 AD- 1400 AD

3. Fall of the Roman Empire was so devastating that Europe split into thousands of tiny separate kingdoms - Feudalism

4. THE CRUSADES 1095-1291

5. Muslims expanding through middle east. Take over holy lands - Jerusalem Christians no longer feel safe traveling there

6. Pope calls on worldwide Christians to wage war against Muslims taking back holy lands

7. Forces interaction between powerful and advanced Muslim world and stagnant Europeans Religious war leads to advances in military and exploration technologies

8. RE-OPENS TRADE BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA Silk Road - Marco Polo

9. MARCO POLO 1271 -24 year journey through Asia Tells story to cellmate who turns it into The Travels of Marco Polo

10. THE BLACK PLAGUE 1 347 - 1350 Carried by fleas on rats along the Silk Road

11. 1/3 of Europe is Killed 50% of anyone living in a City Forces Europe to make changes in medicine and sanitatio n

12. FEUDALISM Economic system of kings, lords, knights and peasants/serfs

14. FEUDALISM No ability to better yourself or move up or down in society Black Plague destroys labor force - Serfs could now demand for work and move to cities End of Feudalism