Chapter 15 Reading Guide: “The West and the Changing World Balance”
1. What led to the decline of the Muslim world and its empires?
2. What type of social, cultural, and political change occurred as the great empires of the
Middle East declined?
3. Who began the Ming Dynasty in China? Why is this section called, “Chinese Thrust and
Withdrawal”?
4. Why does Stearns et al. say that it is surprising that the west rose to be a global power?
5. What was the Renaissance in Europe and how did both affect and benefit Europe?
6. What advantages did Spain and Portugal have? What religious agenda did the Iberian states
have?
7. What new technological developments allowed for early European exploration? Name the early
explorers and their achievements.
8. What places were still outside of the world network at this point in time? What achievements
did they have despite their isolation? Why were they vulnerable?