European societies around 1492 were characterized by rigid social hierarchies with the powerful Catholic Church. The Crusades weakened the Church's authority and nobility while sparking increased trade. By the 1400s, population growth and trade with Asia created wealth in Europe. Monarchs gained power by collecting taxes and raising armies, allowing them to pursue exploration for economic and political reasons. Advances in shipbuilding and navigation enabled Portugal and Spain to take the lead in exploration, ushering in widespread changes epitomized by Columbus' voyages, including the Columbian Exchange of plants, animals and disease, and the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade.

1. EUROPEAN
SOCIETIES
AROUND
1492

2. European Social Order
 Rigid
 Hierarchy
 Catholic Church powerful
 Merchants & Artisans
gained wealth and social
mobility

3. Decline of the Church
 Roman Catholic Church dominated Europe until
the early 1500s.
 What led to the weakening of the Church’s
authority?

4. Crusades
 Attempts to “take back” the Holy Land from
Muslim armies from 1096-1270
 FAIL
Impact of the Crusades
 Sparked increase in trade
 Weakened the nobles
 Reduced power of the pope

5. Reformation
 Early 1500s
 European Christians
question the authority and
practice of the Church
 How does the Reformation
encourage exploration?

6. Change Comes to Europe
Growth of Commerce & Population
 By 1400s, European population starts to grow
again.
 Trade with Asia creates wealth
 Europeans return to urban life

8. Change Comes to Europe
Rise of Monarchs & Nations
 Monarchs collect taxes and raise professional
armies
 Merchants happy to pay in exchange for
protection
 Portugal, Spain, France, England
 Why were monarchs interested in exploration?

9. Renaissance
 Artistic movement starting in Italy 14th century
 Secular spirit
 Belief in human achievement
 Rise of the individual

10. Technology Pushes Europe
 Better ship design and navigation tools spurred
exploration
 Portugal & Spain took the lead

11. Christopher Columbus

13. Columbian Exchange
 Introduction of new
plants, animals, and
disease to Europe,
Africa, and the
Americas
 Diseases like
smallpox destroyed
native populations
(1/3 of Hispaniola
died)

14. Slave Trade Begins
 Why did European settlers want African slaves?
 By the end of the slave trade, Africa lost 12
million people