Western Europe Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards for Western Europe History Review

What is the Byzantine Empire?

The Eastern half of the Roman Empire prospered and became this empire after the division by Diocletian.

What characterized the Western half of the Roman Empire after its disintegration?

Decentralization, with no single overarching government.

Who constituted the four major 'players' in the stratified society of early Post-Classical Western Europe?

King, Lords (local nobles), Knights, and Serfs (laborers).

What is Feudalism?

A social and political structure based on a hierarchical system, primarily during the Early Post-Classical Era in Western Europe.

What impact did the Code of Chivalry have?

Emphasized expectations of upper-class women during PC era.

What are some examples of aspects within a feudal town?

Castle, Church, Homes, fields, orchards, blacksmith, pasture, forest, barns, mill, manor and craftsmen.

Name three groups that invaded Western Europe during the Early Post-Classical Era, contributing to instability.

Vikings, Magyars, Angles and Saxons.

What was the nature of economies during the Early Post-Classical Era?

Local and agricultural, based on self-sufficiency and community.

What term describes the economic system of self-sufficiency where the manor has its own economy?

The manorial system.

What were the multifaceted roles of the Catholic Church in Post-Classical Western Europe?

Religious authority, wealth and power, centers of education, preservation of Greco-Roman culture.

What were the primary themes of cultural production during the Post-Classical Era?

Religious, historical reflecting social beliefs.

Where did the printing press originate?

China

What were the impacts of the Gutenberg printing press on Western European society?

Increased literacy rates, the spread of knowledge, and books in vernacular languages.