Chapter 15 Notes The West and the Changing World Balance I. Introduction A. 1400 ? world in period of transition 1. Downfall of Arab caliphate 2. Spread of Mongols 3. Who would take new international trade role? Maybe China? B. But?Enter the Europeans ? finally, they?ve been behind everyone for 8000 years 1. Italy, Spain, Portugal took leadership role 2. Americas couldn?t respond to European invasions C. Key question ? why did different civilizations react differently? 1. This could be a key question ? notice the word differences a. This class just loves to compare civilizations II. The Decline of the Old Order 1200 ? Middle East run by Byzantine Empire (North) ? Arab Empire (South) 1. But?Turks took over Byzantines in 1453, 1258 Mongols - Caliph