1400s

                      Main Idea                   Why It Matters Now                      Terms & Names  

Government, society, and innovations in Europe during the 1400s that lead up to the

discovery of America.

Without the Columbus's voyage to America we wouldn't have the great

society we have now.

Epoch Renaissance Compelling

Intro

The 1400th century was referred to as the “pre-Columbian epoch,” but it wasn’t only focused around Christopher Columbus, there were other things going on in the world. The pre-Colombian era brought a lot of change to the Europeans and they were in the mindset of conquest. As it will be explained in the European section of the chapter the Europeans had started a crusading stage. The Europeans isn’t the only people you should focus on during the 1400’s, the Native Americans played a big role in the innovations of the Europeans. Through the Colombian exchange the Europeans acquired a lot of exotic goods that they have never seen and in exchange the Native Americans acquired goods from the Europeans also. West Africa was not out of the picture in the 1400’s. West Africa became closer to the Europeans and the rest of the world through trade. The Portuguese would come over to Africa and trade with the Africans and along with trading

the Africans they also shared some of their traditions and beliefs with the Africans. The 1400th century was not only a century that impacted the Europeans but actually all around the world, literally.

European Government

During the Pre-Columbian epoch, as a result of Columbus’ visit to the Americas, Europe drastically changed. In the beginning the Catholic Church had great power over Europe, but as changes occurred, it began to lose power. In the 1300s and 1400s, power struggles between the church and European Kings reduced church power, causing the movement known as the Reformation. Furthermore, change swept Europe when the Columbian Exchange began. It allowed European's to get exotic goods and required materials of value. This led to the growth of commerce and population, giving many people new opportunities. In addition, the Renaissance also marked a huge impact on Europe’s change. During this era many people wanted to explore the land around them. This caused an increase in the voyages requested by sailors and other people who wanted to learn more about their surroundings. One person was Christopher Columbus, a man who greatly impacted the world’s history with his voyage. Summing this whole thing up, Europe went through many changes during the Pre-Columbian epoch that led them to the place they are in today.  Christopher Columbus

European Society 

The European society has gone through many changes throughout the 15th century. Initially, Europe ran on a social structure called hierarchy. This structure divided people either into monarchs and nobles (the wealthy), or the peasants (the poor). The population during this time consisted of more peasants than monarchs and nobles. Secondly, most of the families during the 15th century were made up of a father, a mother, and the children. This is also known as a nuclear family. Although they did live in small families, strong bonds with the rest of the family still existed. Finally, during this era, Europe was made up of mainly Roman Catholic believers. The number of believers began to disappear though, after a man named Martin Luther began the movement known as the Reformation, which caused the Christian church

Protestant Reformation

to divide in two. As you can see many of Europe’s important changes occurred in the 1400s, these changes continue to be an important part of Europe’s history.  

European Innovations

    Many great inventions and improvements were created during the 1400s in

Europe that helped it grow and become a strong nation. Probably the best example to begin with is the caravel, a ship used by most early European explorers. This ship had many new innovations that made it easier to handle and control. One of those innovations was the triangular latten sail, which helped it sail against the wind. Even more

compelling is the advance in weapon technology, including the creation of bigger guns. Europeans learned to mount guns on ships, which made their ships stronger. This advance in weapon technology helped Europe rise in power and overthrow other countries. A final example is the invention of the mechanical printing press. The printing press helped news travel much faster across the continents. So it is clear to see that all the innovations made during the 1400s helped Europe rise in power.   

Caravel

Personal Account“As I know that you will have pleasure from the great victory which our Lord hath given me in my voyage, I write you this, by which you shall know that in the thirty-three days I passed over to the Indies with the fleet which the most illustrious King and Queen, our Lords, gave me; where I found very many islands people with inhabitants beyond number. And, of them all, I have taken possession for the Highnesses, with proclamation and the royal standard displayed...” _Christopher Columbus Informing the King and Queen about His Voyage.

    TermsEpoch- A particular era of time bases by distinctive features.   Renaissance - The activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.   Compelling- Tending to compel, overpowering.

   

                     Main Idea                   Why It Matters Now                       Terms & Names  

The Native Americans impact in America’s history. Without Native Americans, our society

wouldn't be what it is today.

Immense Miraculously Agriculture

 

 Native American Government

  Although they haven’t been given much credit, Native Americans have impacted

America’s democracy in a very immense way. It is important to note that Native Americans had been living in a society of democracy even before the Europeans arrived to America. Americans got the example of living in a democracy from the natives. The next piece of evidence is how the Native Americans firmly influenced the Bill of Rights that we know today. Benjamin Franklin had used the ideas and mindset of the Native American government to help build the government that we know today. The final example to note is that the Native Americans had presented the colonies with the Albany Plan of Union. The Albany Plan of Union was a treaty to try and unify the Iroquois and the colonies with a universal law, like the constitution. Unfortunately the plan was rejected, but it played a huge role in the treaties that were to come from the colonies later on. So it is clear that the American democracy that we know today had been miraculously impacted by the Native Americans.

Benjamin Franklin

Native American Society 

Native American’s society was very different from what Europeans were used to living in. When the Europeans arrived to America they were surprised by the way these people lived. One thing they found interesting was the fact that Native Americans believed that the world they lived in was surrounded by

spirits. Everything in the world had a spirit, whether it was living or not. Wind, trees, rocks, and water are some examples. In addition, agriculture and hunting were both an important part of the Native American’s way of life. In order to survive, the Natives had to hunt for their food. They also planted many of the foods they ate, including corn, potatoes, and many other foods. Europeans picked up agriculture from the Native Americans. Last of all, unlike Europeans, extended families were very important to the Native tribes. Native American families usually consisted of a mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the children. Special homes were made in order to fit the whole family under one roof. Native American’s way of life truly was unique compared to European’s society.

Native American Innovations 

After the Europeans showed up in Native American’s lives, many innovations began to take place. One good example is the development of terms and words, for things

such as places and food. Native Americans began to name things in order to make traveling and communication easier. Yet another good example is the domestication of many types of food. The Native Americans planted many foods, and grew half of the food crops known today. On top of that, the Natives began to trade materials and other goods with the European people. They traded food, pottery, blankets, and

many other goods. One of the best things the Native Americans got from the trades, were guns and other European weapons. This made hunting easier and faster for them. All these improvements made the American life better. 

Personal Account“They are artless and generous with what they have, to such a degree as no one would believe but he who has seen it. Of anything they have, if it be asked for, they never say no, but do rather invite the person to accept it, and show as much lovingness as though they would give their hearts.” _Christopher Columbus Describes the Native Americans.

Terms   Immense – Vast, huge, very great.   Miraculously- Hugely.

Agriculture - The science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops, and feeding, breeding, and raising livestock; farming.

 

                     Main Idea                    Why It Matters Now                      Terms & Names  

West Africa gained a lot of power and wealth during the 1500s.

It matters now because Africa has played a big role in the forming of

America.

Descendents Domination Tariff

     

West African Government 

The government of the West Africans were different but yet still similar in a way. One piece of evidence that points to this is in the city of Benin which is protected by a forest; their government had a bureaucracy within it. In the city of Benin they had a king, but the king appointed chiefs that govern different districts in the city. The next example is the Muslim leader Askia Muhammad organized Songhai in the way a monarch would. In the city of Songhai they still also had a king but the king appointed people to collect taxes, collect trade, farm, and fish. A final example can be found in the kingdom of Kongo where there is one person that rules smaller kingdoms and they are all linked by blood line.  The king of Kongo was called the Manikongo and his kingdoms were held together through the blood line. Thus you can clearly see that the governments all over Africa varied but had some similarities like the fact that they all had a king.

West African Society 

During the 15th century, most West Africans shared the same way of life. During this time families held bonds of kinship, which are ties among people of similar descendants. This form of bond determined many things, including the inheritance a person would get and who they were allowed to marry. Another interesting thing is the fact that the age a person had, determined what rank the person was in. Normally the eldest person in the family would control and make most of the decisions. They would

also represent the whole family in important council meetings. Just like in any other culture, religion took an important role in the West African society. Like the Native Americans, West Africans also believed that nature was surrounded by spirits, both in living and non-living objects, many also believed in a single god. As one can see, West African society during this time honored and followed many old traditions passed on by their ancestors.      

African Family

West African Innovations 

Many innovations that took place in the 1400s helped West Africa grow in power and wealth. One good example is the increase in trade, which increased Africa’s riches. Songhai, one of the largest African empires, grew due to their domination over the Trans

Sahara trade. Along with that, taxing the traded goods helped them obtain more profit. Whenever any goods passed through their region, a tariff was required. Lastly administrated districts helped improve West African empires. Each district was lead by an official who was in charge of a specific job. This maintained the order of the empire. No one can argue that all these innovations helped African empires become stronger and wealthier.  

 

Personal Account“The King’s Court is very great, within it having many great four-square plains, which round about them have galleries, wherein there is always watch kept. I was so far within

the Court that I passed over four such great plains, and wherever I looked, still I saw gates upon gates to go into other places.” _ A Dutch Visitor Describes Benin City.       

Terms   Descendants- A person who is descended from a specific ancestor. 

Domination- Control or power over others.

Tariff – Bill, charge (taxes).

Assessment Questions

1. Asses the changes that took place through the 1400s and discuss why you think that is important.

2. Hypothesize if some of the changes that you mentioned in question one didn’t take place, what would the world be like today?

By: Yazmin N., Paul K., & Tristan M.