Drivers of Change in the First Global Age

Drivers of Change in 1400sTrade – quest for wealth in gold and spice

tradeReligion – Islam and ChristianityUrbanization – rise of cities in EuropeTechnology – Caravel and Galleon Ships,

Navigation Devices, Printing pressPolitics – Fall of Mogul Empire,

Strengthening of unitary European monarchies,

Trade: Asia and Africa 1400sWhile Europe was in the Middle Ages,

peoples of Africa, Asia and the Middle East were connected by land and sea trade routes.

Arab merchants played a large role in the growing trade = Middle East was crossroadsSailed along Indian OceanTraveled along the SILK ROAD = overland

routes that linked China to the Middle East

Trade: Silk Road

Trade: African Trading StatesWest Africa - Long trade routes crossed the Sahara desert in Africa linking West Africa to North Africa

Mali and Songhai most powerful kingdoms

East Coast of Africa was trading center also

Gold from Zimbabwe (inland) was carried to the coast and carried by ship to India and China

Mansa Musa on Throne in Mali

Mansa Musa – Muslim Ruler of Mali

Immense Wealth caused stir in Europe – where did his gold come from?

“So abundant is the gold in his country that this lord is the richest and most noble king in all the land” – Spanish Atlas 1375

Trade: Europe in 1300s

Marco Polo traveled throughout Asia from 1271 to 1295. Recorded his travels and

journey in The Travels of Marco Polo which was widely read by Europeans thanks to the invention of the printing press.

Polo’s book described the exotic foods, spices and other merchandise of Asia. Adventurers and businessmen wanted to share in the wealth.

Trade: Europe and the Mongol EmpireMarco Polo befriended Kublai Khan – ruler of

the Mongol Empire. (Mongolia and Siberia)Europeans given free pass to travel and trade

along overland routes between Europe, the Middle East and Asia

Trade: Europe and the Fall of the Mongol Empire End of the 14th century, the Mongol Empire

collapsed. Persian and Muslim rulers blocked European

merchants from using overland routes to Asia – history of conflict and animosity between European Christians and Muslims (Crusades)

Europeans need a NEW route to Asia = water!!

Trade: Portugal’s rise to fameEarly leader in search for Water Route to Asia

and the source of Africa’s gold.Prince Henry the Navigator sent captains

exploring the West Coast of Africa1497 – Vasco da Gama rounded southern tip

of Africa and sailed to India.

Trade: Other Nations Join RacePortugal controlled trade with African coastal

nations….Italy commanded trade in Mediterranean……soooooo

Spain looks West Across Atlantic for trade route.

Dominates Central and South America thanks to Columbus’ Voyages

By the end of the 1500s, England, France and Holland must focus on finding a “Northwest Passage” – a water route THROUGH North America to the Pacific Ocean

Religion: Spread of IslamIslam- founded in the 600’s by Muhammad.

After his death in 632, Islam spread across North Africa, into Spain, from Persia to India and beyond.

Religion: Christian CrusadesCrusades 1095-1270 – holy wars fought by

European Christians against Muslims to control Holy Land

Helped bring Europe out of Middle Ages and into the Renaissance (1400-1600s)Introduced Europeans to food, spices, silks,

and luxuries from Asia.

UrbanizationEurope moved from Feudal society where life

revolved around the Manor to a more urban landscape

Kings built strong nation-states and brought feudal lords under their control which opened opportunities for businessmen

Cities began to grow

Technology1430s – Johannes

Gutenberg invented the printing press

Books were previously copies by hand – illuminated text

Large numbers of books could now be produced at a l0w cost = more people reading and learning spreads

Technology - NavigationNavigation tools including the magnetic

compass, astrolabe developed to help captains

Portugal invented the Caravel ship – triangular sails and steering rudder allowed captains to steer into the wind

Galleon – large multi-deck sailing vessel

PoliticsMonarchs in England and France bring

feudal lords under control bringing law and order to society

England and France, Spain and PortugalPortugal and Spain drive out Muslim rulers

Politics – Spain expels MoorsIn the 8th century, North

African Muslim Moors conquered Spain.

1492 – Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain finally managed to drive last of the Moors out of last Muslim stronghold of Grenada

Able to start investing in overseas exploration

Alhambra Palace