Drivers of Change in 1400s
 Trade – quest for wealth in gold and spice trade
 Religion – Islam and Christianity
 Urbanization – rise of cities in Europe
 Technology – Caravel and Galleon Ships, Navigation
Devices, Printing press
 Politics – Fall of Mogul Empire, Strengthening of
unitary European monarchies,
Trade: Asia and Africa 1400s
 While 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 crossroads
 Sailed along Indian Ocean
 Traveled along the SILK ROAD = overland routes that
linked China to the Middle East
Trade: Silk Road
Trade: African
Trading States
West 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
Empire
 Marco 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 fame
 Early 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 Africa
 1497 – Vasco da Gama rounded southern tip of Africa
and sailed to India.
Trade: Other Nations Join Race
 Portugal 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 Islam
 Islam- 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 Crusades
 Crusades 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.
Urbanization
 Europe 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
Technology
 1430s – 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 - Navigation
 Navigation 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
Politics
 Monarchs in England and France bring feudal lords
under control bringing law and order to society
 England and France, Spain and Portugal
 Portugal and Spain drive out Muslim rulers
Politics – Spain expels Moors
 In 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