THE COLLISION OF TWO WORLDS

Adapted from Instructor Carol Jean Coxs PowerPoint

TWO SEPARATE WORLDS

Discovery of a New World?
Discovery = uninhabited Invasion of an old world New or Old?
New to explorers Old to American Cultures

Two Separate Worlds

(Eastern Hemisphere & Western Hemisphere)
Until 1500AD isolated by oceans
Distinct peoples, animals and plants Viking settlement short-lived Some evidence of Chinese exploration

Geographic Orientation of Worlds (atlas)

EUROPE IN TRANSITION
Out of the Middle Ages
Events critical for world exploration occurred during the period of AD 500 to 1500 1000 years of this structure How long has the modern era lasted?

Historical Timeline Ancient History Middle History Modern History

6500 BC AD 500 AD 500 - 1500 AD 1500 +

AD 500 = Fall of Farming Rome Emergence of 1500 End of Middle civilizations Ages Christs Birth c. AD 0

Beginning of Age of Discovery Modern Era

Out of the Middle Ages (5 Key Changes) 1. Decline of Feudalism 2. Crusades Raise Expectations 3. B lack Death Kills Social Ladder 4. Formation of Nation States 5. Emergence of Capitalism

1. What was Feudalism

Organization of society Three classes Nobility (Kings, Queens) & Lords/Barons/Nobles
Owned all land Granted land to Knights in exchange for service

Clergy (Church & Monasteries) Much wealth Controlling element Called for Crusades (religious wars to reclaim the Holy land) Serfs (everyone else works land or Fief) Classes didnt integrate

2. What were the Crusades?

1. Soldiers traveled from Europe to the Holy Land to fight the Turks & Ottomans 2. New ideas/products introduced to Europe 3. Ended isolation by creating demand for trade with the outside world 4. Fostered hatred between Muslims & Christians 5. Isolation ended as W & E collide

Note: Muslims & Jews in Spain targeted in the Inquisition

Constantinople: Capital of the Byzantine Empire (E. half of Roman Empire)

Jerusalem

The Four Crusades

3. Black Death (Bubonic Plague)

Infestation via fleas 1347-1500 Carried by rats (fleas) on ships or camel caravans from Asia 2-5 Days - painful enlargement of lymph gland (Bubonic= Greek for groin), throat, arms, then vomiting & death About 1/3 of European Population Dies Black splotches on skin Filth in the cities (open sewers) promoted spread of disease

Remember Germs, Guns & Steel: Rise of cities brings disease

3. Black Death (Bubonic Plague) Causes Social Change

Labor shortage as serfs die Serfs demand higher wages NOBILITY - Loss of Power KINGS - Increase in Power CLERGY - loss of people & power SERFS - wage increase & power

EUROPE IN TRANSITION
Out of the Middle Ages 1. Feudalism 2. Crusades 3. Black Death 4. Formation of Nation States 5. Emergence of Capitalism

Formation of Nation States (Rather than

City-States)
What is a Country, Nation, State? Europe was fragmented (after Roman Empire collapse) without the political distinction of countries Allegiance to lord and local king Many regional kings European history was a continual conflict kings vs. kings lords vs. vassals/serfs With the death of each lord the Kings power increased

 4. Formation of Nation States cont.

Note: In Feudal times taxes & services were local, soon wars & taxation became national.

Change in the Political arrangement

King controls a larger geographical area Consolidation of power Nation States Formed Spain, England, France, Dutch, Portugal (Like countries forming from the break up of the USSR)

Commonalities
1. 2. 3. 4. Land & boundary Government Common Language or similar cultural characteristics Independence (sovereignty)

5. Emergence of Capitalism The Feudal economic system?

Based on Barter & Trade King taxes people in products (takes crop) Crusades - people became aware of new products but cant buy them without gold & silver (money) Craft Guilds (under the king) control production & trade

Characteristics of Capitalism (13001500) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

Free market trade Individuals sell Goods & Services Private Businesses with profit motive Hire Labor for a wage Loan Money with interest (Usury)
Free enterprise the economy grows More money for taxes Capitalism changes the feudal system Government enforces contract Profit motive increased as church Government has an unwritten Bill of power weakened Rights to enforce contracts Usury was considered a sin Secular kings wanted increased productivity & taxes State laws vs. church laws

Sanctity of Contract

EUROPE IN TRANSITION
Summary - Pulling Things Together
Feudalism in decline from (Black Death) & rise of Nation States (new political systems) Crusades (shared ideas and created demand for world trade) and Capitalism (a new economic system) Need nation state governments to protect capitalism (contract & money lending) Italy/Papacy controlled the trade with the east (geographic location)
How can other nations bypass Italy -> sail to the west Enter Columbus Sail west to reach the east

THE COLLISION OF TWO OLD WORLDS

Discovery of the New World Europe In Transition The First Americans European Exploration & Conquest vs. Invasion & Genocide