The 14th and 15th centuries were difficult ones in European history. The crises represented in the bubonic plague, famine, social upheaval, and rampant warfare, altered the structure of European society. The signal event of the era was the plague, which started in southwest China. It moved along the silk route and was pushed to the Black Sea by Mongol horsemen. Genoese traders encountered the disease and transported it to Western then the rest of Europe. About 1/3rd to ½ of Europe died of the plague.
At those times, Europe was already suffering the effects of a series of bad harvests started during the last decades of the 13th century where agricultural production had declined significantly. Also, when European climate changed on the eve of the 14th century, winters and summers became colder and wetter. A series of crop failures occurred at the beginning of the century, followed by a widespread famine from 1315 through 1317. The dramatic loss of population affected the European economy very badly.
The European economy was also affected by two other important factors: a shortage of bullion and the disruption of trade routes to Asia resulting from the advance of the Ottoman Turks and their control over the routes. By the last decades of the 14th century, the rich silver mines of central Europe had become exhausted. Also, the Ottomans supplanted the Mongols and expanded steadily and during 1453 they took the great port city of Constantinople.
Demographic crisis and economic change occurred against a backdrop of warfare.
The Essay on European Trade Routes 1100 1500
... 2001, Ch. 12, p. 383) After the 19 th century The Asian silk route had declined tremendously. When The Mongol Empire came ... passed through, and because this plague was so horrific, Mongol power weakened as a result of this. Europeans had no immunity toward ... distance trading wasn't a part of everyday life? Asia and Europe play a huge part in our lives, and in what ...
The most famous war of the era was the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. It lasted from 1337 until 1453. English armies rode through the French countryside burning houses and fields, inflicting heavy economic damage. The English scored impressive battlefield victories at Crécy (1346), and other battles. The victories resulted from superior English tactics, which included taking the defensive posture, descending from horses to fight on foot, and use of the longbow. The longbow could be fired more quickly than the traditional crossbow, yet still had impressive striking power.
The Hundred Years’ War was followed by dynastic struggles arising from disputes within the ruling elite. In Spain, attempts to retake land from the Muslims disrupted the Holy Roman Empire. Also, Popes spearheaded crusades against the Muslim Ottoman Turks who supplanted the Saljuk Turks into Anatolia.
Europe experienced at this time numerous revolts by the lower classes. And
the church experienced some of the most profound crises of the era. The great institutional battle between kings and popes took a dramatic turn at the beginning of the 14th century.
The demographic crises and shifts in trade did bring economic depression but also resulted in a new equilibrium, in which the standard of living improved. The shortage of manpower resulting from the plague hastened technical laborsaving innovations such as the invention of the printing press of Gutenberg and the innovation of gunpowder warfare. The movements of the Ottomans and the difficulties of trading with the East encouraged overseas explorations, which led to navigation development. Ship development passed through stages starting with the Mediterranean galley, the Arab dhow with lateen sails, and N. European cog. The caravel followed with advanced sail configuration. Later, it was mounted with cannon which helped maritime expeditions. Europeans wanted to sail the oceans to get around the Muslims to the riches of Africa and Asia and find allies against the Muslims and/or spread Christianity.
The new ships were storm-worthy with navigation aids such as magnetic compasses and astrolabes. They were also battle-ready with sturdy hulls, high decks, and cannons. All of that helped Europeans to explore new maritime routes through the Atlantic, to West African coasts, and so did the Portuguese who were inspired by the legend of African riches and Pastor John. The Portuguese set up Indian Ocean Empire as well. With their control over Goa, Hormuz, and Malacca, they diverted trade directly to Europe.
The Essay on European Exploration Age English Explore War
Although the exploration of the new world had many gains and benefits, it also had it's many problems. The English people had many reasons to explore, such as trading, over population, and just the need for explorers to explore. Without the finding of the new world we would obviously not be here today, and would all be speaking a different language today if it weren't for it. Along with that comes ...
When the European society started to be conflicted and aggressive, Portuguese and Spanish moved on and encountered the Americas through their maritime explorations. They sailed to Brazil, Peru, and Mexico. The Aztecs formed the major power in Central Mexico with intensive agriculture, gold, silver, and copper productions. In Tenochtitlan; pyramid temples and sacrifices could tell about the Empire. The first Spanish explored America was Columbus on 1492. During 1518 – 21, Cortez conquered Mexico, and during 1532 – 33, Pizarro conquered Peru. Hispaniola natives were made to mine gold suffering so many atrocities till the size of central Mexico was desperately diminished. Early conquistadores behaved rapaciously. Later on, Spanish elite owned land, and exploited native labor while they explored and traded with China across the Pacific.
