Short History of Europe & Age of Exploration

How did “Europe” role in the world change?

• Europe moved from playing a large role to a small role in the world

• Europe gave the world democracy

• Europe moved from playing a small role to a central role in the world

• Europe taught many countries how to be civilized

Answer explanation

Europe moved from playing a small role to a central role in the world. This shift was brought about by global trade and European conquests of lands around the world.

What was happening during the "Classical Age"?

• Europe spread knowledge throughout the Mediterranean region

• Many Europeans listened to "classical" music

• Romans made Islam the national religion

• Romans made Christianity legal

Answer explanation

Greco-Roman scholars learned from other scholars in Persia and North Africa. The ancient Greek and Roman religions are remembered as myths that continue to influence European culture, even as simple names and images. After Christianity became legal, it spread as their empire did

Which groups invaded Europe?

• The Huns

• The Vandals

• Angles and Saxons

• The Dutch

Answer explanation

Europe were invaded by different Germanic tribes. Spain was invaded by Vandals and Visigoths and Italy by Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Lombards. After the Romans abandoned Britain in 410, it was raided by Angles and Saxons (Germanic tribes from the mainland), some of whom settled there.

What is another name for the Middle Ages?

• "The Black Plague"

• "Reconstruction Era"

• "The Decline"

• "The Dark Ages"

Answer explanation

People began calling medieval times “the Dark Ages” because of the supposed suffering and lack of learning during that time. Kingdoms, ethnic groups, and religious groups in Europe repeatedly fought during this time. However, learning and creative explorations in art and architecture also occurred during the Middle Ages.

Which two groups invaded Europe during the Middle Ages

• The British & the French

• Vikings & Mongols

• The Celts & the Lakeers

• The Lords & Serfs

Answer explanation

Vikings (from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) began to raid the coasts of Britain, the Netherlands, and France. Europe was also invaded by the Mongols (from Mongolia) under Genghis Khan

 Europe is more of a ______ and ________ zone than a physical one, so its borders are difficult to define.

 Although European countries no longer have empires, Europe’s international influence remains strong. To lovers of its achievements and its support for the human spirit, Europe is a beacon of ______.

Critics, however, emphasize the great ________ and damage Europeans did in the past in order to subdue and profit from other peoples. Those praising Europe’s contributions to education, technology, culture can acknowledge its destructive history.

When European explorers undertook numerous long-distance sea voyages, they were initially in search of what?

• new war territory

• new places to worship

• new places to live

• new trade routes

Answer explanation

In the 1400s and 1500s, European explorers undertook numerous long-distance sea voyages, initially in search of new trade routes. Their search brought them into contact with peoples and lands that were new to them.

Why did Europeans seek new trade routes?

• known trade routes were dominated by other powers

• they wanted to try traveling by water instead of land

• they were invited by distant groups

• it was hard to track down the old routes

Answer explanation

Explorers in southwestern Europe began to seek new trade routes because the known trade routes were dominated by other powers. Access to the eastern Mediterranean Sea was barred by the fleets of Byzantium and the Ottoman Turks. The other known trade routes from Europe were controlled by Venice and Genoa (now in Italy).