Rhyne Powerpoint

“Quid Terras Alio Calentis Sole Mutamus?” orWhy do some of us bother with alien climes?: 

“Quid Terras Alio Calentis Sole Mutamus?” or Why do some of us bother with alien climes? Matthew Rhyne ACMS Middle School

Relevant California 5th Grade Standards for Social Studies: 

Relevant California 5th Grade Standards for Social Studies 5.2 Describe the entrepreneurial characteristics of early explorers and the technological developments that made sea exploration by latitude and longitude possible Explain the aims, obstacles, and accomplishments of the explorers, sponsors, and leaders of key European expeditions and the reasons Europeans chose to explore and colonize the world. Trace the routes of the major land explorers of the United States, the distances traveled by explorers, and the Atlantic trade routes that linked Africa, the West Indies, the British colonies, and Europe.

THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: 

THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What factors impelled and constrained European expansion into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans? What was (and wasn’t) unique or “new” about the manner and scope of this “Age of Exploration?”

“We Were Here First!’‘Oh Yeah?’ ‘Yeah!’”: 

“We Were Here First!’ ‘Oh Yeah?’ ‘Yeah!’” The Age of Exploration: Who are these explorers anyway? The invitation said the 1500’s, not the 1100’s. Right On Time Fashionably Late Showed up at the end of the party without RSVPing, didn’t bring a bottle of something

The Nation-State Issue: 

The Nation-State Issue A million little pieces…of Europe Problem with the concept of “European” City States/ Families/Kingdoms Fools and Bureaucrats

Why Southern Europe?: 

Why Southern Europe? Better Question: What took “Europe” so long? World trade/exchange prior to 15th/16th Centuries The Venetian Empire: More than just blinds Advantages/Disadvantages in Europe

The 500 lb Ottoman Gorilla: 

The 500 lb Ottoman Gorilla

Otto-Who?: 

Otto-Who? Ottoman absence in texts Military power Economic power Religious differences Barrier to the East Persistence

Wading into the Surf: 

Wading into the Surf 1213-1308: Showdown in the Mediterranean-Jaume I, Pedro III, Jaume II Mallorca/Menorca/ Ibiza: Not just for English and German tourists on holiday. 1571-The Battle of Lepanto

Skirting the Edges: Down and Around Africa: 

Skirting the Edges: Down and Around Africa Why Africa? Early Experiences- Merchants and Mercenaries NOT the slave trade Legend of Prestor John (and the real Mansa/Musa of Mali) Key trading/refueling outposts

Auditioning for Empire in the Atlantic: 

Auditioning for Empire in the Atlantic Henrique the (Rarely) Navigator Azores, Canaries, Madeiras oh my! Practice runs Linking the triangle of trade- Europe, Africa, Americas Intersection of trade winds, currents

The Indian Ocean, or Say Hello to My Little Friend: 

The Indian Ocean, or Say Hello to My Little Friend Well, the Americas are nice, but… The Pacific…not so pacific WMD- Cannons on boats. Ominous Precedent: The Portuguese and Goa

Marketing Exploration: 

Marketing Exploration

And How Do We Get There?: 

And How Do We Get There? Latitude easy, longitude hard- the Astrolabe Lateen rigging Maps- Need to know basis You’ve got the brains, I’ve got the brawn…let’s make lots of money!

Do We Like Scurvy or is There Another Reason for All This?: 

Do We Like Scurvy or is There Another Reason for All This? Population pressures Increasingly marginal farmland Opportunities for advancement Big payouts (if you survive) Praise the Lord and/or pass the ammunition

Modern Entrepreneurs?: 

Modern Entrepreneurs? Argument that European culture as “naturally” entrepreneurial/capitalist Explorers as vanguards of modern capitalism Out of necessity rather than explicit planning When is the new “new”? And when is it old? State sponsors motivated by wealth, territory to gain upper hand on neighbors

But Weren’t the Americas the Most Important?: 

But Weren’t the Americas the Most Important? Mineral wealth Natural resources Agricultural products The East is the mall, the Americas is the ATM machine

So What Should We Teach?: 

So What Should We Teach? Went to the seas out of weakness, not strength Europe’s “Catch Up” Centuries Foundations for “real” imperialism Filling in the global gap Good? Bad? Or $^&# Happens? Not all of Europe “wins”

Columbus: What do We do with this Guy?: 

Columbus: What do We do with this Guy? As a product of his times Wrong, but lucky As a salesman As a relic rather than an innovator As a integral character in a complex narrative

Sources: 

Sources Fernandez-Armesto, Felipe. Before Columbus: Explorations and Colonization from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, 1229-1492. Phillips, Carla and William. The Worlds of Christopher Columbus. Pomeranz, Kenneth and Steven Topik. The World that Trade Created: Society, Culture, and the World Economy Ringrose, David R. Expansion and Global Interaction, 1200-1700.