European Worldview and Identity

Mapping Changing Worldviews During the age of exploration,

Europeans learned that there were no sea monsters, there were many different cultures of people in the world, and a different world than they had imagined

After Portugal set up trading posts in Asia after the Battle of Diu it became the most powerful trading country in Europe

Spain's conquest of Central America allowed the country to take resources and led to its status as the wealthiest country in Europe

France and England saw this happening and decided to join the race – in North America

For Queen and Country How did Francis Drake and Queen

Elizabeth I earn the admiration of the English?

Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world

He also stole much of the Spanish wealth and gave it to England

Elizabeth I was a true Renaissance monarch

She was very well educated and could read and write Latin and Greek

She was a great patron of the arts Under her reign, England defeated

Spain in a huge naval battle She sponsored explorers and

settlements in America

Tilbury SpeechMy loving people,

         We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant generals shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

From: http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/tilbury.htm

Making Contact Europeans became fascinated with all the

information being brought back about the indigenous peoples of the “new world”

The printing press made access to books about these people more readily available to eager readers

Many of these books told about how indigenous people did not live in dirty and overcrowded cities

They also stated how their societies operated on principles of equality and sharing

This got many Europeans thinking about their own society

Did indigenous people have happier lives than Europeans?

French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau's later works were heavily influenced by European contact with indigenous people

Expansionism and Imperialism

Although Europeans may have been curious and provoked by indigenous cultures, for the most part they still thought of themselves as superior

To what extent do you think developed countries share this attitude of superiority today?

They needed resources provided by these lands to support their economy

Competition for land and resources was thought as necessary for survival in a changing world

This led them to disregard the rights of indigenous peoples

You told us you had been in possession of the Province of Maryland above one hundred years; but what is one hundred years in comparison of the length of time since our claim began? Since we came out of this ground? For we must tell you, that long before one hundred years, our ancestors came out of this very ground, and their children have remained here ever since. You came out of the ground in a country that lies beyond the seas. There you may have a just claim, but here you must allow us to be

your elder brethren, and the lands to belong to us before you knew anything of them.

- Canasatego, Onandaga Chief, 1744

Q: What is Canasatego's argument?Q: Do you agree or disagree with it? Why or why not?

Citizens of the World We often take it for granted that we have

access to methods of communication and travel that are so fast and effective

Many people use the term “global village” to describe this phenomena

Summary of HUGE changes:

Invention of the printing press – spread of ideas/knowledge

Humanism – curiosity, belief in the individual, education, arts & sciences

Rise in trade and business – new merchant middle class, encourage investment and growth

Exploration – contact with different people for the first time; imposing of religion, ideas, values and economic system