Western Europe in the Middle Ages
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Transcript of Western Europe in the Middle Ages
Western Europe in the Middle Ages
Chapter TenAP World History
Ms. Tully
Overview of the Middle Ages
• Fall of Rome 15th Century• 5th – 10th C – Early M.A. (Dark Ages)• 10th – 14th C – High M.A. • 14th – 15th C – Late M.A.
• Age of great faith – Christianity• Increasing participation in trade with Asia &
Africa• The Crusades
The Dark Ages (500-900 CE)• Dominance of “barbarians”
& frequent invasions
• Overall decline of civilization
• Shift of power away from Med. Northern & Western EU
• Emergence of regional kingdoms, but most society still very localized
Manorialism• Socio-political-economic organization on local
level• Serfs lived on manors owned by a lord• Levels of production = low; technology = limited • Local politics with regional aristocrats is most
common form of organization until Vikings invade at large in 9th C Western Europeans turn to feudalism for greater protection, but manorialism in not abandoned
The Rise of the Catholic Church
• Only example of solid organization • Copied government of Roman Empire to administer
Christendom• Extensive missionary activity• Early kings interested in Christianity• Development of monasteries• Monastic orders based on saints – St. Clare & St. Francis of
Assisi• 1073-1085: Gregorian Reforms with Gregory VII• Becomes most powerful and wealthy institution in the West
Charlemagne and the Carolingians
• Frankish Carolingian dynasty grows in power (origins of modern FR & GR)
• 732: Charles Martel defeats Muslims in Battle of Tours
• Charlemagne (r. 768-814) Est. empire in FR & GR ca. 800 Holy Roman Empire
• Carolingian Renaissance
• 843: Treaty of Verdun empire breaks into three kingdoms
Holy Roman Empire (962-1806)
• After Charlemagne HRE position/empire declines
• Revived in 962: Otto I of Saxony crowned HRE (r. 936-973)
• Merging of classical & Christian
• Collection of principalities, city-states, small kingdoms
Feudal Monarchies• Military and political
system
• Growth of strong feudal monarchy in Europe took many centuries
• Decline of Viking raids by 10th C
• Result regional monarchies with strong aristocracies
• William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy
Limiting Government • Growth of monarchy cut
into aristocratic power attempts to limit monarchical power
• 1215: Magna Carta
• 1265: first English Parliament
• Three Estates (Church, Nobles, Commoners)
• Monarchies continued to increase in power
The Crusades• Eight Crusades • Three Primary Causes:
• Power of church over people’s mindset• Bored soldiers• Great Schism
• 1095: First Crusade called by Pope Urban II reclaim Holy Land from Muslims
• Reclaimed Jerusalem for ~100 years, lost to Saladin in 12th C• Demonstrated growing European ability & ambition• New contact with Islam & new possibilities• Demonstrated aggressive spirit of Western Europe
The High Middle Ages • Increased urbanization
and declining manorialism
• Increased trade
• Increased economic activity & banking
• Increased universities
• Declining feudal political structures
Urbanization and Education
• Warming trend after 750 CE population growth
• Pop. Growth economic expansion
• Expansion of literacy
• Emphasis on education Growth of universities
Theology (Faith + Reason)• Greek philosophy
assimilated into Catholic religious tradition
• Dominant intellectual theme in postclassical West
• Bernard of Clairvaux anti-theology, pro-mysticism
• Thomas Aquinas
Religion in Art and Literature• Distinctive tradition in art &
architecture
• Painting: Wood panels, religious scenes, no perspective
• Romanesque: Blocky, “Roman” – like
• Gothic: Verticality, light, intricate
• Literature: Latin vs. Vernacular
Agricultural Innovations• Moldboard
• Crop rotation
• Three-field system
• More food more people more urban areas
• Peasants starting to gain financial freedom
Growth of Trade and Banking• Money replaces barter
system emergence of new markets
• Growth of banking led by merchants
• Rebirth of Mediterranean trade
• Hanseatic League
• Merchants enjoyed relative autonomy
• Growth of guilds
The Role of Women• Traditional roles: wife
and childcare provider
• Code of Chivalry: Reinforced ideas that women were weak/subordinate
• Nunnery: Alternative to marriage
• Mary vs. Eve
Crisis of the Late Middle Ages
• Overpopulation
• Hundred Years’ War
• Great Schism – 3 Popes?
• Black Death ca. 1350