The Europeans Come to North America 4

The RenaissanceBetween the 14th century and the 16thcentury, most of Europe emerged from theMiddle Ages and with new inventions andideas experienced a “rebirth.”The printing press changed the waypeople learned and communicated. For thefirst time, people, other than small groups ofpriests and scholars, could buy books. Thisresulted in new ideas spreading faster thanever before.New inventions also affected the economyof Europe, which, in turn, changedthe way people lived. The invention of thetelescope helped people discover newthings about science and astronomy. Theybegan to question long-standing beliefs,including the idea that the sun revolvedaround the earth.Ship designs improved. People wereable to explore and sail farther than theyever had before. New instruments like thequadrant, sextant, and compass helpedsailors determine direction easily, ensuringquicker and safer ocean voyages. Even theBasques’ method of keeping cod from goingbad had an impact. Fish, which providedsailors with a good source of protein, didnot spoil quickly when it was salted.Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and pepperwere no longer just for the rich. The growingmiddle class could now afford to buy them.However, the overland trip to obtain spicestook years to complete, and many of theroutes were dangerous because of bandits.Europeans wanted to find a safe route by seato the spice-growing countries in Asia andIndonesia. They thought that if they founda western sea passage to Asia, they couldeasily get the things they wanted from theEast. It was like a great big treasure hunt.Whoever found the sea route to the East(called the Northwest Passage) wouldbe rewarded by his king and queen.This period of time is called theRenaissance.Pepper was especiallyprized and, literally,worth its weight in gold.When Columbus returnedfrom his voyage to theNew World, he brought chilis, which weregrown by the Aboriginal peoples. In aneffort to convince his benefactors thathis trip had been worth it, he called thechilis “red peppers.”?did youknow ?Figure 4.8 Spices from AsiaTravel to the western world … is a consequenceof the long struggle of the nations of Europevying for supremacy and control of tradewith the East …. For all those who pushedback the limits of the unknown world, thereis always the glitter of gold and the odour offar fetched spices.— Sir Walter Raleigh, 160558 People and Stories of Canada to 1867 • Chapter 4