1. a. The crisis in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages was caused by poor harvests, wars and illness.

b. In the 15thand 16thcenturies, the economy became prosperous because the population grew
and there was greater demand for agricultural products and crafts.
c. Financial transactions became easier because of new payment and lending methods.
d. Cities had the most economic power because artisans and trade were concentrated there.
1. During the 14thcentury, the population of Europe decreased greatly because of the plague.
However, in the 15thcentury, the population increased and became almost as large as at the
beginning of the 14thcentury.

The most privileged classes were the nobles and the clergy
Peasants continued to live under harsh conditions.

European monarchs implemented their decisions in many ways. They created a bureaucracy and a
professional administration. They built up the army. They increased taxes, and they created a
diplomatic system.
They were diplomats. They represented their country abroad. This was important to
maintain good relations with other countries.

The main European kingdoms included the Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of
France, Kingdom of Scotland, Kingdom of England and the Holy Roman Empire.

Navarre is now part of Spain; the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England are now within
the United Kingdom; Genoa,Venice and the Kingdom of Naples are all part of Italy.

The causes of population growth in the 15th century:

the end of many wars and the end of the plague. The effects of this growth: harvests improved
and trade and craft production grew. Other effects: the bourgeoisie became powerful.

The reign of the Catholic Monarchs Monarch Period Territories

Domestic policy Foreign policy
Isabella the Catholic Queen
Ferdinand, the Catholic King
1469- 1504
Castile and Aragon
Holy Brotherhood
Royal Council
Corregidores
Royal Treasury
professional army
Religious unity
Territorial expansion:
Granada,Navarre,Naples,Melilla, Orn,Canary Islands,conquest ofthe Americas
The monarchs increased their power in the Early Modern period by centralising power.
They took their new powers from the nobility, the Church, the municipalities and the
Parliaments.
The bourgeoisie belonged to the middle classes.
The bourgeoisie was made up of rich and powerful merchant and banking families.
Their situation changed in the Early Modern period because they became more influential.
We consider that the noblemen of the Middle Ages were more powerful than those of the Early
Modern period because in the Early Modern period the kings took away some of their privileges.
Peasants lives improved because in most countries they became free and were no longer serfs.

Diplomatic network: relationships established with other countries.

Dynasty: a family that rules a country through different Generation
Marriage alliance: union between a man and a woman for political reasons, not for love.
The Holy Brotherhood was a judicial police force to fight against bandits and the abuses of the
nobility.
The Tribunal of the Inquisition prosecuted heretics, people who did not follow the Catholic faith.
Conversos were Jews who converted to Christianity.
The Catholic Monarchs strengthened their power over the municipalities and the nobility by
appoining corregidores, or chief magistrates, to establish royal authority in the towns.
They strengthened the Royal Treasury and took privileges away from the nobles.