Western+Europe

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 * The Impact of Christianity (490-600):**
 * Both the Catholic and Christian Church shape and direct the lives of the the common people.
 * With the growing disparities between the East and the West, the clergy is able to manipulate people and monopolize their knowledge of the world.
 * Clergy really focuses on religious matter and ignores all other knowledge (main factor for the long Dark Ages in Europe)
 * The Church became a vital force in the political and economic matters of Europe; the pope's endorsement of a political figure gave them great advantage among the popular consensus
 * Kings submitting to an all-powerful being (God) justified the people's divine treatment of the king.


 * The Viking Raids and the Reign of Charles Martel (600-755)**
 * Warm weather and overpopulation of Scandinavia gave the Vikings favorable conditions to raid British lands.
 * They raided the unprotected coastal lands of Britain
 * Monasteries were often under attack because they were undefended and often contained valuables.
 * Slaves were also taken.
 * **Charles Martel ( 718-41)**
 * Founded great Carolingian Dynasty; consolidated French power in Europe
 * Pioneered new technology to better wield a sword; introduced concepts of heavy infantry and a permanent army
 * Grandfather of Charlemagne
 * Advancements in military tech. allowed for France to be a dominant force in Europe

**Christianity and the High Middle Ages & Expansion of Holy Roman Empire (967-1060)**
 * The Rise of the Franks (755-850)**
 * Pioneered military technology like a stirrup to keep improve cavalry fighting.
 * Created first professional army used only for war- gave them an advantage of inexperienced soldiers
 * They did not travel vast distances to conquer territories; but they rather built upon existing power base in France
 * Protected by mountains to the south from the Moors
 * Unified empire through Roman Catholicism - new territories converted
 * Franks did not tax citizens heavily and provide a certain level of autonomy
 * Attempted to consolidate a large number of tribes in order to produce unity
 * Feudalism (840-967)**
 * The death of Louis I led the empire to be split between his sons and it brought about the rise of Feudalism.
 * Feudalism: the legal and social system that evolved in W Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries, in which vassals were protected and maintained by their lords, usually through the granting of fiefs, and were required to serve under them in war.
 * Fragmentation discouraged unification and urbanization; serfdom was used to subjugate the lower class.
 * Lower class ignorance of religion also contributed to their status quo
 * By 10th and 11th centuries, all barbaric peoples of Europe have converted to Christianity - resulting in diminishing frequency of pillaging raids
 * The Christian Crusades would stimulate interest in Asia - bringing back new ideas from the Muslim Empire (in a state of scientific/philosophic enlightenment)
 * The power of the Pope surges, and an overlying sense of commonality is felt by the majority of Europe.
 * The power of religion transcends nationalism and other allegiances.


 * Effects of the Crusades, Norman conquest of England and Magna Carta** (1060-1240)
 * Open all new path of expansion for Muslims
 * New asian influences come back with crusaders - a more cosmopolitan influence comes to Europe
 * Normans conquered England, and become the lead ruling class. After Nobles in England reach a breaking point,
 * The Magna Carta is signed. It was the first step to democracy since the Roman Empire fell. The pope approved a Northern Crusade to deal with pagans. Germans felt the need to invade border areas, overpower the local population, and force them to convert to Christianity and obey the pope.


 * Why the Golden Horde was able to dominate Europe and the Black Death Plague** (1240 - 1350)
 * Forced West: The Mongols were forced to move west because they depended on trade and agriculture and Asia was to dry.
 * Superior military technology: Thanks to their nomadic lifestyle they had acquired great horse riding skills and bow arrow skills. Strengthening Numbers: They usually forced people to join their army. They would go through towns and people were faced with an option to live by joining them or die.
 * Learned diplomacy: since they began to dominate trading routs between Europe and Asia, they obtained not only military knowledge, but science and government philosophies.
 * Europe’s weakened condition: They came when Europe was suffering severely with the Black Death plague; they could have actually brought it themselves.

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 * Mindomo -Manorialism**

Manorialism was a sociopolitical system that established the relations between nobles and serfs to shape their everyday lives. The majority of the people in the system were Serfs, and they were basically self-sufficient farmers that farmed the estates (manors) of elite nobles in exchange for protection and an administration of justice. Serfs lived in harsh conditions and lacked the technological products necessary for efficient farming. Although serfs held natural rights of ownership and inheritance, their living conditions remained very low.

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 * Mindomo - Feudalism**

Feudalism was a system of social and political stratification similar to that of manorialism. In feudalism, there were 3 major levels: Nobles, vassals, and serfs. Nobles owned large amounts of land and rented it to serfs in exchange for services. Vassals served the nobles in executing these services and serving in the local armies. Serfs held the same role as usual, and that was working the land for agriculture in order to pay off their debt. In time, kings began stepping into the system above the nobles and controlling these heirarchy, creating feudal monarchies. These quasi-feudal systems soon expanded over large regions, such as in France. England also adopted feudalism as a political system after the invasion by William the Conqueror.

The Dark Ages: · The roman empire was conquered by Germanic invaders · They suffered for two years and the people starved · (the mother of the world was killed) · During the 5th century many tribes and smaller empires wanted to claim the lost empire · People picked apart roman monuments · Because of the anarchy it drop Europe to evolve · On Christmas day Clovis converted to Christianity at age 30 - Franks became Christian · His conversion made him gain many alliances · He had trouble with not killing · Frankish kings passed the throne in family, so he killed anyone who could be part of his family · Being his captive was even worse,a person had to put their hand in boiling water and get a pebble if their hand healed they’d be free · He died of an unknown cause · He united France under the franks and had alliances with roman catholic · At 15 he took control and conquered villages he gain man for his new army · Christianity appealed to most people because it promised an afterlife · Constantine became emperor and he converted to Christianity because he had a vision and won the war · 533 ad. When Justinian marches west to take back western Europe · 6th century west and east were like night and day · West was viewed as Latin and backward and east more diplomatic · Justinian came to power in 527 ad   · He wanted to reconstitute the empire · Justinian was greedy and tricked his people to given him money · A riot broke out in 532 ad against Justinian · Slaughters 30,000 men in the riot under the advice of Theodora · Justinian conquers Italy in bloody massacres · Hagia Sophia built over ashes of Constantinople; model for agriculture to come · Bubonic plague comes in on the fleas hiding on rats in cargo ships · Theodora blamed for being **slutty** · No hope for Europeans in this Dark Age. · Justinian’s empire cannot sustain itself after his death, pulls back · Christian monks write Europe’s history due to closeness to literature
 * Video notes:**

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The Magna Carta was written to guarantee the rights of nobles and barons of England in the early eleventh century. It establish the legal proceedings in which the possession of items would be determined, although not to the minute details of Justinian's Code. The Magna Carta made a clear distinction between laws affecting males and females, something obviously reflecting the social norms at the time. The document was also very socially stratified, clearly addressing different members at different levels of the social pyramid. Overall, the document provided a solid legal foundation for society in England, establishing the legal rulings of many different important issues such as inheritance and repayment of debt. These laws were important at chaotic times like these to bring together a disunited region of weak rulers. \
 * E ||  Merchant capitalism gains ground in Western Europe.

||
 * Italian merchants sought cloth manufactured in the low countries, and merchants from other parts of europe such as England.
 * In england people produced timber supplies and furs brought from Scandanavia and Baltic lands.
 * Peasants were almost free from manorialism, but had to follow only a few obligations to their landlords, and military function, in order to own a horse, and weapons.
 * Peasonts went thorught many decades fighting for their lands, and the belief that they should be free to own their land
 * Gap between peasants and lords
 * Banking was introduced to facilitate the long distance exchange money and goods.
 * Money was more commonly used.
 * Countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Britian were capitalistic.
 * Mediterranean redeveloped with the help of italian merchants in which they traades european cloth
 * germany and scandanavia grouped together to discuss the Henseatic League
 * S || * Not only one giant bureaucracy like in China, a separate bureacracy for Church and for State.


 * See notes on Manorialism and Feudalism
 * The "three-estates" were the most powerful members of society (priests, nobles, and urban leaders)
 * Conditions of serfs greatly improved through the introduction of newer technology for farming and more autonomy.
 *  Women hold a significant position in society; religious path in monasteries is granted
 *  Urban women hold important role in commerce and even take part in some craft guilds.

* ||
 * P || * * Not only one giant bureaucracy like in China, a separate bureacracy for Church and for State.

* ||
 * See notes on Manorialism and Feudalism
 * Conversion to Christianity granted European leaders greater control over the masses.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Local rulers held great power; vassals, knights, and serfs reported directly to them
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">See Magna Carta markup for clear evidence of the struggle between the nobility and local rulers.
 * I || * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">·Works of Arab rationalists such as Ibn Rushd influence Western philosopher-theologians during the great synthesis of medieval learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Improvements in structural engineering and knowledge of Muslim design influenced a new Gothic style that emerge ||
 * R || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">* <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Christian values in W.Europe remain deeply entrenched and Christian rituals still diligently followed.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">* ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">People are drifting away from core Christian morals.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">popular means of expressing religious devotion expand (spiritual groups)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">christianity and earthliness/spontaneity blended together; conveyed by authors such as Geoffrey Chaucer.
 * I || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">* The combination of rational philosophy and Christian faith was a dominant intellectual theme.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">· Thomas Aquinas, a leading philospoher theologian that expanded the scope of reason in religion to better understand the nature of God. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">* Scholasticism, philosophy that was originally based in schools; demonstrated the a confidence in the logical orderliness of knowledge and a human's ability to learn. || The Decline of the Medieval Synthesis Key characteristics of Western Europe began to shift after 1300, facing new problems of overpopulation and disease. · **Hundred Years War** engulfs both England and France in a bloody war; the weaknesses of the French monarchy were revealed. · Kings reduce reliance of nobility for war and begin acquiring paid troop for war. · A French victory was granted; inspiration of Joan of Arc was a main factor. · Agriculture could not remain in pace with the rapidly growing population. o Sever famines and population decline · The Black Death emerges in 1348, challenging Europe’s population and social structure. o Tensions between peasants and landlords, artisans and their employees began to increase. · The postclassical Western civilization was in decline; transitioning to a new stage. o The signs of strain § The land-owning aristocracy begins to weaken and their military prowess is questioned § Nobility begin to emphasize a rich ceremonial style of life; idea of chivalry: sort of social code for men § Balances between church and state are changed; church seems to lose its grip on Western religion due to preoccupation with politics. § Devotion becomes partially separated from the church itself § Breakdown of intellectual and artistic synthesis is apparent  · Rationalism and religion are separated again; the arts become more human-based (realistic portrayals)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Continuation of the preservation of past wisdoms; Augustine and Latin writers
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Aristotle a highly regarded figure for his clear exposition of rational thought.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Faith and reason were 2 critical elements to understanding and proving the existance of God.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Peter Abelard in Paris wrote of logical contridictions in established doctrines, but his personality and faith kept him attached to Christianity and God.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Bernard of Clairvaux succesfully challenged Abelard with the idea of a mystical union with God, and that faith, not reason, define one’s relationship with God.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Knowledge imported from Muslim (Ibn Rushd) and Jewish thinkers inspires an intellectual interest
 * T || * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Advanced crossbows are able to unseat knights.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Advances in weaponry aid French to victory over British
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Agricultural plows and technologies improve peasant conditions and increase productivity
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Structural advances contribute to a new Gothic style of architecture. ||

Summary of Western Europe:

The postclassical period in Western Europe, also known as the Middle Ages, was a period that featured a gradual recovery from the "shock" of Rome's collapse. It was a period of great dynamism that really shaped European post-classical identity.

Following the Roman collapse, Europe seemed to be set back several centuries. Nevertheless, Christianity spread wildly throughout Europe. The Church began to play a crucial role in European political and social life. Priests dabbled in political matters and conversion to Christianity seemed to be of great political benefit to leaders such as Clovis, who gained an advantage over his rivals because of Christianity. Along with Christianity came manorialism, a socio-political system that defined the relations between serf and landlord (see mindmap). Manorialism came to establish social behaviors and economic prosperity. Agricultural development combined with the growth of towns and the merchant class further improved conditions in Europe for the better. Feudalism (see mindmap), a similar social system began to take form as social stratification continued. The peasantry began gaining some autonomy with these improved economic conditions, and tension rose between the different class. There was also an ongoing struggle with the monarchy, and the Magna Carta in England came to confirm feudal rights against monarchical claims. Expansion through Holy War (crusades) occured under Pope Urban, and for the most part these crusades were unsuccessful. They were successful however in bringing back further knowledge from the Muslims that was soon integrated into European society. European culture as this time begins to develop and become more unique. A large movement that attempts to consolidate faith and reason is symbolic of the growing intellectual activity in Europe at the time. Religious themes in art and architecture are also apparent as a new Gothic style is developed primarily for churches and places of worship. Merchant capitalism gains further ground in a new unprecedented level, bringing in great wealth and commerce. Excessive trade results in the creation of banks and the large usage of currency, much to the dismay of Christians and moralist. Women see there status in society improve as they as more active in commerce and religious matters. Still, women remain subordinate to men. Overpopulation and the Black Death lead to the halt of intellectual and religious activity, and the church loses its original power within European society forever, with the relations between church and state becoming much more clearly defined.