| Prior to the eleventh century feudalism
was the way of life from much of Europe. During the time of feudalism each
rural community took care of its own simple wants and needs.
Beginning with the eleventh century a great
change come over western Europe. The simple agricultural economy
of earlier gave way to a city dominated civilization, the life of which
was industry and trade. Wealth increased. Isolation broke down.
Italy had maintained with the Eastern Empires.
The cities of Italy obtained carpets, sugar and spices through the eastern
Mediterranean ports. They produced leather, fabrics of linen, silk,
and wool and such articles as glass, paper, and soap, which they sold to
other Europeans.
The Crusades increased the demand for goods
and therefor the Italian trade business began to increase. Many of the
articles which were bought from Asia and sold to the west. The goods
were bought to the Mediterranean usually by one of three main routes.
Competitors from outside Italy had little chance because of their location.
Efforts of other countries would not be postponed
for long. Italian prices were exorbitant. This situation left the
rest of Europe suffering seriously.
The sailors of other nations dreamed of new
routes to the Indies, routes which the Italian profiteers could not control.
The hopes of sailors were encouraged by important inventions and the tales
of Maro Polo.
The Portuguese were the first to take up
the search of a new route to the East, the Spanish next with Christopher
Columbus and his discovery of the New World. Soon Spain sent merchandaries
into the New World. Cortex to Mexico and Pizarro to Peru to name
two.
The Demarcation Line of 1494 divide
the whole world, outside Europe, between Portugal and Spain. This gave
Brazil to Portugal and most of the rest of the New World to Spain.
The Spanish retained their monopoly on America for many years.
Cabot, 1497, of England did explore
the north Atlantic coast of North America and Cartier,1535, a Frenchman
explored the St. French Huguenots, 1562, attempted to found
a colony in Florida, but were killed by Spanish troops.
The English entered into the New World in
the late 1500’s. The motives which led to the founding of the English colonies
in North America were numerous and diverse. The English had a sheer
love of adventure, they sought gold, needed land for their people, and
of course the religious motive can not be overlooked. The English government,
although deeply interested in having colonies founded, never seriously
considered founding colonies itself. This was left to commercial interests.
|
