4.1 Technological Innovations

notes

causes of technological innovations

to prevent the emergence of social unrest, european states turned their attention to exploration and trade, which allowed them to focus on external expansion and acquiring wealth and resources.

adopted technologies

the states that developed these giant sea-based empires were located in europe. and since our course began, europe has not been that important

but not in this period, in this period. European states go their power pursuit started and got busy taking over the world

and that marks a significant change during this period. If you've been here since unit three you'll remember all those land based empires we made friends with. and even though they will continue to exist,

and in some cases, grow, the global balance of power is going to shift in the period to these sea based empires.

the first maritime technology europeans adopted was the magnetic compass, first developed in china which helped sailors recon direction accurately on the seas

second, europeans adopted the astrolabe, which enabled ships to determine their latitude and longitude by measuring stars. and this tool first developed either by arabs or greeks- and its not certain which one, and historians debate it

the third maritime technology europeans adapted was the lateen sail which was a triangular sail first developed by Arab merchants which could take wind on either side which allowed for much more precise sailing

and finally, the fourth technology europeans adopted was the improved astronomical charts which were detailed diagrams of stars and constellations which, again, helped sailors know exactly where they were. muslims were mainly responsible for these charts although they built on the work of classical greek astronomy

its very important for you to understand that europeans didnt invent these technologies, they adopted them from other cultures. and so now did they get those technologies? well, in large part, europeans were exposed to the tools and innovations i mentioned through merchant activity along the major trade routes