Download The Middle Ages in Western Europe

The Middle Ages in
Western Europe
An age of faith, darkness, revival,
interaction, death and war
Periodization
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Middle Ages (Medieval Era) emerges as the
classic era declines (mainly after the Fall of
Rome)
Ends approximately 1450-1500 CE
Generally, Middle Ages is divided into 3
parts: Early (Dark), Central, Late (High)
WHAP 9 allows us to view it in 2 sections
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Until 1000 CE
After 1000 CE
Europe in 800
Europe in1328
Europe
in 1430
Europe
in
1470
Post-Classical Themes
in Western Europe
• Civilization spread gradually beyond the Mediterranean
• Christian missionaries convert Europeans from
polytheistic faiths (syncretism blends some aspects into
Christianity)
• International interaction emerged
• Increased technology expanded agricultural output and
improved manufacturing
• Math, science and philosophy were stimulated by new
concepts
• In which time frame would most of these concepts
develop?
Dichotomy of Western Europe
• Not as commercially or
culturally developed as
the great civilizations of
the P/C Era (Islam,
Tang/Song, Byzantine)
• Under constant threat of
Muslim invasion
• Indications of a
developing, vital societypopulation growth,
economic productivity,
increased political
complexity (feudalism
and manorialism),
technological innovation
(agricultural innovations)
• Artistic (Gothic period)
and intellectual
complexity (university)
Characteristics of the Dark Ages
• Disorder prevails following the fall of Rome
• Economic, political, intellectual decline
• Roman Catholic Church remains strong, unifying
force
• Muslim Spain maintains a vibrant golden age
• France and Germany, later England, become
the “center” of Post-Classical Western Europe
• Scandinavian Vikings continually raid Western
Europe, hindering economic and political growth
• Literacy declines as monks and priests speak
Latin and hold religious ceremonies in this
language
KING
LORDS/
NOBLES/
VASSALS
KNIGHTS
SERFS
The Manorial System
• Form of local government (de-centralized)
• (def) system of reciprocal economic and
political obligations between landlords and
peasants
• Use of serfs (not slaves) to increase
agricultural production and maintain manor
• Serfs have rights (heritable ownership of
houses and land)
Feudalism
• System of land exchange in return for
protection (political/military relationship)
• First served local needs, but later served
greater territories
• Bureaucratic and administrative functions
gradually emerged
• William the Conqueror- merges feudal
techniques with centralization (1066)
Roman Catholic Church
• Single most unifying force in Western Europe
during the Middle Ages
• Appointed bishops, regulated laws, sponsored
missionary activity
• Clovis of the Franks- 496- demonstrates the
military power of the church, responsible for
many missions
• Developed monastic movement
• Set examples of holy life, improved cultivation
techniques, preserved Greco-Roman culture
Charlemagne
• Carolingian Dynasty (Charles Martel- Grandfather)
• 8th century, Charles Martel defeats Muslims (732
CE)
• First empire of the Dark Ages
• “Light in the Dark Ages”
• Church-based education, Classic Roman heritage
• French, German, English languages emerged
(vernacular)—beginnings of national unity
• Charlemagne’s successors call themselves “Holy
Roman Emperors” (local lords & city-states go
their own way)
• What does this demonstrate???
9th and 10th Century Growth
• Agriculture- moldboard
plow, three-field system,
horse collars, stirrups
• Viking incursions decline
due to strengthened local
and regional
governments (what’s the
impact?)
• Increased production=
increased population
growth
• Towns increasemerchant class, craft
guilds
• Need for colonization due
to land necessities
• Urbanization= increased
literacy, pop culture,
stimulated religious life
• Cathedral schools
develop into universities
(arts and architecture,
science, math, medicine,
philosophy, law, theology)
Limited Government
• Holy Roman Empireruled by local lords and
city-states
• Rome- ruled by Pope
• Low Countries (France,
Southern Germany) ruled
by regional units
• Parliaments emerge for
the first time- rule on
taxation, policy matters
(representative)
• In strong feudal
monarchies- power is
limited by the Church,
aristocratic military
strength, developing
urban centers
• 1215: King John of
England forced to
recognize the rights of
feudal lords- Magna
Carta
• What’s the
significance of this
document?
Age of Conflict
– Crusades (11th – 13th centuries)
– Hundred Years War (14th century): Though
primarily a dynastic conflict, the war gave
impetus to ideas of both French and English
nationality. Militarily, it saw the introduction of
new weapons and tactics, which eroded the
older system of feudal armies dominated by
heavy cavalry. The first standing armies in
Western Europe since the time of the Western
Roman Empire were introduced for the war,
thus changing the role of the peasantry
Faith & Reason
• After 1000 CE, efforts to more fully understand
the past (philosophy, rhetoric, logic) take on
deeper meaning
• Absolute faith in God’s word is stressed, but
human reason contributed to the understanding
of religion in natural order
• RCC opposes such endeavors (logic
demonstrates contradictions in religious theory;
threatens Church power)
• Similar to Islamic tensions
• The debate flourishes in
universities…opening intellectual
avenues not present in other
civilizations (like China)
• Thirst for knowledge increases
• St. Thomas Aquinas- Summas- faith
comes first, but human reason allows a
greater understanding of natural order,
moral law and the nature of God
(paves the way for the Renaissance)
Revival of Trade after 1000 CE
• Post-classical west demonstrates great
powers of innovation
• 10th Century trade revival sets the west as
a commercial zone- merchants move
commodities from one region to another
• Urban growth promotes specialized
manufacturing and commerce
• Banking is introduced- pre-cursor to
capitalism
• Mediterranean allows Italian
city-states to flourish (luxury
goods and spices)
• Northern Europe- cities in N.
Germany and S. Scandinavia
form Hanseatic League
• Weakness of western
government allows for
businesses to have a freer
hand than in many other
civilizations
• Commercial leagues and
artisan guilds grow
• Group people in similar
occupations
• Regulated apprenticeships
• Maintained good
workmanship
• Discouraged innovations
(WHY???)
• Manufacturing never
reaches levels of Islamic
world or China
Role of Women
• Specialization leads to limited women’s role
• Family remains most significant “job”
• Christian emphasis on religion comes into play
as an alternative- female monastic groups
• Less restricted than Islamic women, but slowed
down by male-dominated organizations
• Patriarchal structure are firmly established by
end of Middle Ages
Decline of Medieval Height
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hundred Years War
Famine
Black Death- Bubonic Plague, Black Plague
Weakness of feudal order
Agriculture can’t keep up with population growth
Tensions arise between landlords and peasants
(Crusades)
• Land-owning aristocracy lose its power as
professional armies emerge
• Church officials become less tolerant of intellectual
boldness
S
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Impact of Western Europe during
the Middle Ages
• “Western” is tough to define because lack of
political unity plus borrowing from Asian
civilizations is high
• RCC comes close to being defining
• Link between rationalism and Christian thought
• Foundations for the future were laid in terms of
economic production and intellectual output
• Secularism becomes a distinct aspect for
Western Europe’s future