Reasons for European Exploration Cornell Notes 2.

Reasons for European Exploration

Cornell Notes 2

Introduction

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

Events in Europe

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

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)

Financial Reasons to Explore “Avoiding the Middle Man”


“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


◦ Effects of the Crusades: Distrust of Muslim

merchants Europe began

craving more exotic foods

Europeans wanted stuff that actually tastes good (Spices)

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


C. European Monopolies◦ Definition: Monopoly - One person or company

having sole control of a product or business

D. New sea trade routes to Asia


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

Other European Reasons to go the Americas

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



◦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.

Reasons for European Exploration Cornell Notes 2.

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