First of three lessons examine changing European borders, students compare maps illustrating changes of Europe's division of territory from 1000 A.D. (C.E.) to 1450 A.D. (C.E.). Unification of smaller regions into a larger state may form the basis for political power and the ability to exert influence over other countries. Students uncover the relationship between territorial extent and political power. Key questions: How did the consolidation of territory affect the formation of nation states?; How could stable borders contribute to the political stability of a state?

Map of Europe color coded by infant mortality rate broken down by nation or subnational units (akin to US states or Canadian provinces). Shows the international differences, but also shows the (less substantial) differences within nations. The categories for the color coding have been changed from the international standards to differentiate among the universally low infant mortality rates across Europe.

Students will complete the organizer to describe the motivations for, obstacles to, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorations.