- The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land.
- They brought Europeans into contact with the wealth and sophistication of the Islamic world, and stimulated interest in exploration.
The Mongol conquests (1206-1368)
- The Mongols were a nomadic people from Central Asia who conquered a vast empire that stretched from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe.
- Their conquests disrupted trade routes between Europe and Asia, forcing Europeans to find new ways to reach the East.
The rise of the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)
- The Ottoman Empire was a Turkish state that emerged in the late 13th century and eventually conquered much of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeastern Europe.
- The Ottomans' control of the trade routes between Europe and Asia made it even more difficult for Europeans to reach the East.
The Black Death (1347-1351)
- The Black Death was a devastating plague that killed an estimated 30-60% of the European population.
- It caused a labor shortage and economic disruption, which led to increased social mobility and a greater willingness to take risks.
The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries)
- The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe.
- It emphasized humanism, individualism, and a renewed interest in classical learning.
- The Renaissance fostered a spirit of curiosity and exploration, and led to the development of new technologies, such as the compass and the astrolabe.
The Age of Discovery (15th-17th centuries)
- The Age of Discovery was a period of European exploration that began in the 15th century and continued into the 17th century.
- It was driven by a variety of factors, including the search for new trade routes, the desire for wealth and glory, and the spread of Christianity.
- During this period, European explorers sailed around the world, discovering new lands and peoples, and establishing trading posts and colonies.
