The Roads that Led to
America!
A STORY OF FORCE, MOTION AND CHANGE
Middle Ages & Crusades to the Renaissance to the Age of Exploration
to
The Settlement of the Americas
BY: Avery Fahrman
It Begins Before the Beginning
The story of America began way before 1492. It can be traced back thousands
of years, actually, but that would be a mighty extensive story, so let's begin around
1,000 AD…
Once upon a time in a very distant place named Europe, life was very, very
different than in present-day America.
This period of time in Europe was called The Medieval Ages. We’ll make this
the beginning point to our story. But how did we go from the Medieval Ages in
Europe to the beginning of settlement in America? Well, that’s the story you’re
about to read…
What Was Feudalism
What was feudalism? Feudalism is a social system used in medieval
Europe. Surfs are the common folk that live in manors (Manors are communites
owned by lords). Lords are people who are picked by the king to own a manor,
lords give safety, defence, and shelter to the manor. In return peasants /serfs
give get heavily taxed and 50% of their farmed goods go to the lords and
knights.
Manors were occasionally visited by peddlers, pilgrims, and soldiers.
Manors are surrounded by churches, lord’s castle, the village, and farmland.
The social system was called feudalism, the power least to greatest was Serfs,
Military, Lord, King, Pope.
Town Life and Health: Narrated
Town Life Narrated
“Clik, clak, clik, clak” “what is that noise?” I groaned as I got out of bed. I look out the window
and saw other wondering faces looking out their windows. Then looked to the gate, they were nights.
“Tax day already” I said to myself. I dashed down stairs put some of the coins in a sack got some fresh
wheat. I then hurried outside and put the goods it in the knights wagon. I guess now I should start
collecting for next week's tax return. After I got used to the morning day light I went to go work the
fields. I saw my dad out there getting ready to deliver the wheat to the bakery. After I did all of my
farm work I went into town to get food and deliver the wheat. As I entered the Manor I smelt the
stench of rotten filth and horse dung. But I decided to go through this mess, first stop bakery. Right
when I entered the bakery the horrible stench went away and was replaced with the smell of fresh
bread, I traded are wheat for a loaf of bread. Then I was on my way home. I saw other buildings like
the cobbler, potter, meat house, Tavern, wheat fields, and in the distance I saw the lord's manor. “I bet
he is living in luxury, “I hate this Feudal system” I say to myself.
Health Narrated
“I feel so sick” says lord Duncanshire. “Oh sire” says Chaderack (the maid) “i'll go fetch the
doctor”. A minute later the doctor showed up in the room. “Your hienes what is the problem?” says
Alex (the doctor). I don’t know how about you figure out! “Maybe one of your humors are off” “what
are humors?”says lord Duncanshire. “Humors are four different groups that make up the body. The
four medieval humors are black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood” says Alex. First you'll have to
use the latrine to balance your humors. “One hour later”. Okay I guess that didn't work I will now
have to perform bloodletting. “Slish slash, ahhhhhh”. Okay my work here is done.
Holy Wars Create Huge Change!
Who?
Near 1l00AD, Pope Urban, chief of all christianity in Europe, declared all the christians in Europe go on
crusades, to win back Jerusalem ( the Judeo- Christian Holy Land) from the Muslims, who also thought the
land was special. The Europeans had been living inside the borders of their manors with the feudal system,
and this religious force- called to service by Pope Urban, caused a colossal movement which then turned into
a monumental change. “Crusaders” were kings, peasants, service folk, adults and children too. humans of
christian and muslim faiths did not get along as you can see...
What?
For nearly 200 years, from near 1100-1300 AD, Christians journeyed into and near Asia on a
extended chain of different crusades to get back jerusalem. During the route of these journeys Europeans
were opened up to many new things and ideas, including new inventions, foods, unique spices to save food,
jewels and amazing stones, clothing, art and architecture, and religious/ educational notations.
Where And When?
The Crusades were in the upper middle ages and were a gateway to the Renaissance. Things really
started to get different near 1100-1300 AD, as a outcome of the religious travels, people started to have great
ideas. These happenings took place all over Europe, the Mediterranean sea, and what is now Middle East Asia
Why And How?
Though initially motivated by religious forces, over time the motivation became economic people and
countries WANTED all these current things, as a way to make money. There was a humongous growth in
trade in big cities were made to become centers of commerce. Europeans began to discover more about the
world, and European kings began to seek trade routes so they could have more of these awesome things.
After all this new stuff a new era began called the Renaissance
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A Burst of Learning and the Rebirth of Knowledge!
What Does Renaissance Mean?
The word “Renaissance” is brought from a French word meaning “rebirth”. It is used to describe this phase
of European history where many changes were experienced between the 1400s-1600s were inspired by a repeal
of amazing art and intelligence of Ancient Greece and Rome. Much of the art, architecture, science, and
inventions that were made during the Renaissance were similar to ancient greece and rome.
More Information
The Renaissance were a period of time roughly from the 1300s to the 1700s. The Renaissance started in
Italy but later spread into other European countries.
New Ideas In Science And Technology
In the Renaissance new ideas spread in many areas especially in science and technology. This era of time
created many things that helped mankind a lot.
The first design of the parachute was designed in this era, by Leonardo da Vinci in 1483, the invention of the
parachute saved countless lives. The invention of the printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in,
Germany, in 1440. The printing press destroyed the tradition of hand writing books. Matches first made their
appearance in 1530 this invention helped people all over the world lighting up their houses. The first actually
useful microscope was invented in 1590 by Han Janssen. It was made by putting water on the lense and could
only be used in light. The invention of the microscope led to the discovery of bacteria. In 1608 Hans Lippershey
invented the first telescope, which was later improved by Galileo Galilei. The invention of the telescope allowed
Galileo to see into outer space.
This wasn’t the only thing important back then trade and commerce mattered a lot so how about we learn about that to.
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A Burst of Learning and the Rebirth of Knowledge!
Increase In Trade And Desire For New Goods
To sum that title up is “The Renaissance Economic System.”. Most of the time merchants traded by sea,
because the roads were too dangerous and under developed.
The Europeans all yearning for Asian spices, spices were the main trading product in the Renaissance. Also
Peppercorns, Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon, Gems, and Silk. Until the 1500s Europe only traded in the
Mediterranean Sea. The only country that traded over sea was Portugal. The Main European trading zone was
beefed with gold, copper, and silver. Prince Henry from Portugal sent men to the coast of Africa which led to the
discovery of Ivory, Gold, and Slaves.
Inventions That Help Exploration
Large ship named Galleons became useful so men did not have to use oars. The Astrolabe, predicts the
location of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and other planets determining latitude. The metal Compass upgraded
cartography and creating maps.
After all these new trade routes began to be discovered the Renaissance shifted into The Age Of Exploration.
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We Want a Route! We Want a Route!
Age Of Exploration
During the “Age Of Exploration” new trade routes were found and Columbus eventually bumped into America.
Marco Polo
Biography
Marco Polo was born on September 15, 1254 in the Republic of Venice. At first Marco was a merchant then after a couple years he became an explorer. Marco Polo died
January 8, 1324 in his birth town of Venice Italy.
The Silk Road
The Silk Road trade route discovered by Marco Polo, went from Eastern Europe to China. The Northern boundary of China, India, and Persia ended up in Eastern Europe
( Modern Day Turkey and Mediterranean Sea). The Route traded Teas, Salt, Sugar, Porcelain, and Spices. It also supplied goods such as Cotton, Ivory, Wool, Gold, and Silver.
Vasco de Gama
Biography
Explorer Vasco da Gama was born into a family of nobles near 1460 in Sines, Portugal. Not many thing are known about Vasco’s family. Vasco died in Sines, Portugal in
1524. Vasco da Gama died from exhaustion says doctors.
Route Around The Horn of Africa
Vasco da Gama's first voyage was 1497-1499 his main goal was to find a new trade route to india. After returning from his first voyage he was treated like a king. Many
of Vasco da Gama’s men died from a disease called scurvy caused by lack of vitamin D. Vasco da Gama went on a second voyage to reclaim his route from the muslims. Vasco da
Gama, crazed with power, after claiming the route he brutally killed thousands of muslims. Then returned back to portugal to live out the rest of his life.
Christopher Columbus
Biography
Christopher Columbus was born Genoa, Italy october 31 1451. Christopher Columbus was not the handsome type of person. Christopher Columbus was one of the best
explorers of all time his first voyage was in 1492.
Journey To America
On his first voyage he Journeyed to the Bahamas thinking he was in India. Christophers reason of exploring was to find Herbs, spices, and Gold. But he did not
find any of those so he brought back slaves. Christopher Columbus's real name is Christoforo Columbo. Columbus had three ships The Pinta, Nina, and the
Santa Maria Columbus sailed on the biggest, the Santa Maria.
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We Want a Route! We Want a Route!
So how did Columbus’ discovery for Spain transform the globe? Probably because
he found a whole new one, dum dum! So this business of America starting in 1492, is
really
just not the case – it started WAY before then.
As you’ve just read, one thing led to another, which led to another and another and
another, until next thing you know, BOOM! Columbus finds a whole new world. Yes,
this
is where the story really gets good!
But we’re just gonna leave that part for another time…
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