2. The Grand Tour: Europe
Territories in Europe were going through major changes
during 1492:
Portugal - Spain’s competitor over Atlantic Islands - was
having struggles within empire; Spain took advantage for their
exploration (Granada fell within same months of exploration)
Funded by Italian financial banking; Lorenzo de Medici (ruler
of Florence) died, and Spain took advantage of control and
resources (Spain became rich from gold and silver and
dominance grew)
Ivan III the Great, got loose from Mongols power - declared
“Ruler of all Russians”
Bishop of Moscow declared Moscow “3rd Rome”
Ruler of Muscovy assumed title os czar-expanded territory
until 20th century
3. The Grand Tour: Turkey to
Africa
Ottoman Sultan Bayezi II held muslim territory across North
africa, Persia to Serbia, to southern ukraine - 1453
established capital Istanbul in former Constantinople.
1492 Turks and muslims dominated land south of Spain, Most
of North Africa, down to Mozombique
Muslims spread into Holy lands, Persia, India, Southeast Asia,
China & Phillippines.(Catholicism was only in Spain, Italy, and
America)
Spain expelled Jews who refused catholic baptism - 180,000
took refuge in Turkish territories and pleased the sultan(to
expel the Jews “was to expel their wealth”).
Alexander from Christian Ethiopia - Surrounded by Muslims -
& mother Empress Eleni accepted help from Portuguese in
fighting Muslims. Their travel and trade post gave them
important info & soon discovered how to sail to Indian
Subcontinent.
4. The Grand Tour: South Asia
1491 most of India under Muslim control (except
hindu Kingdom Vijaynagar)
Mughals - net invaders - had advanced gov.
beyond “enlightened societies” - pol. liberal
religious policy: open to orthodox Muslims,
Hindu Brahmans, Jain Saints, Parsi Preists &
Christians
Rama Thibadi - Ruler of Ayuthia Dynasty
(Thailand) 1st to give trading privileges to
Portuguese
Vietnam was extending south & couldn’t be
stopped
Malaca had advantage w/ great port - patronage
spread to Javanese, then to Spice Islands
(Atlantic islands) & is now part of Indonesia;
Portuguese also reached Spice Islands
5. The Grand Tour: China and
Japan
15th Century, China under Xiau-Zong had
potential to expand & tried to look at docs of
Zheng he’s 1405-1433 expeditions (they were
hidden for fear of being repeated)
Chinese bureaucrats stopped naval exploration
because: didn’t wish to spread religion, didn’t
trust military, were bulding Great Wall, were
focusing on land attacks, etc.
Chinese already had great eon & technology;
were focusing on social harmony & order.
Japan was independent from China, but had no
“Great Lord”
1493 warlords drove Shogun Yoshitane from
the Kyoto capital.
6. The Grand tour:Western
Hemisphere
Spanish were surprised with Aztec cities built on
land & water (were mainly land-bound).
Mayans had no centralized authority - shared
land with un-united tribes & prevented Spanish
conquer until 1700.
Most Mayan books were destroyed, but is
known to have 1 of most refined civilizations
Seacoast mayans had heavy, long-distance,
waterbourne trade
Incas had heavy expansion toward end of 15th
century - spread over 2,500 miles connected
with roads
7. The Staff of Life
Animals helped to plow and produce fertilizer for
European crops - Europeans became tough
with lack of food and animal butchering
rice yielded 2-3 crops per year; needed a major
land span so people lived crowded but well fed
Corn grew everywhere under almost any
condition & was easily harvested - could feed
large populations when paired with squash 7
beans.
At the end of the 15th century - Chia, America,
& Europe made up 3/4 of the world’s population
Europe brought over plants & animals to the
Americas & pushed aside the native plants,
humans & animals.
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8. The Great Traditions
Islam expanded with succession of “gunpowder
societies”, Hindu’s relied on case system with
Munghal’s decline, China focused on gov.
organization & Europe created feudal kingdoms
& self-governing urban republics.
All had iron, writing, technology, cities etc.;
Mongols & Turks absorbed into civilizations
All civilizations had a Great commander, &
kingdoms which rose and fell
hunter-gatherer groups declined, but traditions
absorbed into greater civilizations freeing them
from pressure to repeat their own traditions.
9. The European Challenge
Eurasia advanced more quickly because of
natural resources and rapid transmission of
innovation.
Portuguese joined Columbus & created trade
networks with other continents creating major
commerce - banking, loans, insurance, etc.
were created by countries funding each other’s
voyages.
Ship technology was fused together throughout
Eurasia giving hem the advantage
Competition with other territories advanced
weapons, gunships, and war tactics within
Europe
