Western Civ- Medieval Europe

How’d Constantinople survive 1000 years after Rome’s collapse

• Strong defenses against invaders. Ex: protected by water on three sides allowed for stability and protection.

• Strategic location-controlled trade. Ex: Sat on the Bosporus Strait, between Mediterranean and Black Sea. Trade routes from Asia to Europe.

• Preserved classical knowledge. Ex: Copied work of Greek philosophers, gave them stronger education/government.

What were new techniques and technology that improved Western European Agriculture?

• Iron Plow

• Horse Harness

• Three Field system: Kept soil healthier/ produced more food.

Effects of these advancements

• Population growth

• Increased food production

• Better soil and diet (More protein)

How was Charlemagne able to unite most of Western Europe?

• Alliance with the Church: He was crowned emperor of Rome by pope Leo III

• Strong central government through capital at Aachen: Let him govern large and diverse empire effectively.

• Cultural reforms: Established schools, encouraged preservation of classical texts. Improved communication and governance.

Great Schism

West: Roman Catholic Church

East: Eastern Orthodox

Roman Catholic Church

Pope had supreme power in Rome, Latin language, priests cannot marry, icons weren’t emphasized.

Eastern Orthodox Church

Rejected pope’s authority, Greek language, led by patriarchs, priests could marry, icons emphasized

Justinian’s accomplishments

• Justinian’s code: Collection of Roman Laws that became foundation of many later European Legal systems.

• Absolute Rule with Centralized authority: Used law and bureaucracy to unite empire and hold power over Church.

• Greatest territorial expansion: Conquered North Africa, Italy, Spain. Briefly restored much of the old Roman Empire.

Justinian

Emperor of Byzantine Empire.

Charlemagne

King of the West, crowned emperor by Pope Leo III.

What were social and economic effects of Black Death

• Economic decline and social unrest: Millions died, production fell, wages rose, prices soared, revolts erupted.

• Shift to market economy: Survivors wanted cash over serfdom agreements, weakened nobles, supported middle class.

• Growth of Royal Power and End of feudalism: Kings taxed middle class, increasing their power and ending feudalism.

Crusades failures

• Unsuccessful in recapturing Jerusalem.

• Third Crusade fails to take Holy city.

• Fourth Crusade diverts attack to Constantinople.

Crusades success

• Increased trade between Europe and the Middle East

• Growth of money, shifted toward the market economy as peasants started paying rent in money.

• Cultural diffusion: Scientific discoveries, mathematics, medical advancements to the West.

How’d feudalism address the challenges caused by the fall of the Roman Empire?

• Political fragmentation- Weak central government after Rome fell. Feudalism fixed this by establishing a hierarchal system where lords-maintained order.

• Violence and instability: Invasions became common, Feudalism provided security and protection to peasants, lords were protected by knights.

• Economic and trade collapsed: Manorial system created self-sufficient estates where trade wasn’t necessary.

How’d French kings consolidate power?

• Weakened powerful nobles and gained the Church’s support.

• Created a national tax to afford professional standing armies. Didn’t have to depend on noble' military service.

• Kings created an efficient government with paid officials that collected taxes and enforced funds. Reducing need for feudal funds.

What effect did the revival of trade in the Middle Ages have on society?

• Towns grew around rivers, trade routes, etc.

• Formation of guilds, trade brought merchants and craftsmen together, so they formed guilds to protect their work.

• Growth of the middle class: Trade created a new social group consisting of merchants, bankers, and skilled artisans. Towns allowed for social mobility.

What was the Magna Carta and what was its effect on the English government? How did the role of the nobles and Kings change?

• First time in history the power of the king was limited, as Citizens have rights the king can’t take away.

• Because of King John’s harsh policies.

• Can’t unrightfully arrest people and must be accused of a law that’s in the law code.

• King must follow the same laws as the rest of the nation.

• Gave nobles a more formal role in governance as kings were required to consult them.

• Nobles help create representative institutions, shaped English law and government

Feudalism structure

• Monarch at the top

• Power lord’s dukes, counts below

• Complex network of vassals that could be both vassals to higher lords and lords to lesser vassals.

• Peasants and serfs at the bottom

Feudalism

Medieval economic and political system where land was exchanged for protection, labor, and service.

Manorialism

Medieval economic and social system where serfs worked the lord’s land, producing food and goods in exchange for protection. Manor was self-sufficient, and Lords controlled justice and resources.

Role of manorialism in feudal system

• Organized daily life: Manorialism was the place of feudal society, self-sufficient manors with farmland, villages, churches.

• Defined social roles: Serfs were bound to the land, working in lords in return for protection and resources.

• Local focus: Was the center of feudalism because it organized work, justice, and survival.

Characteristics of feudal society

Strict Hierarchy: Monarchs, nobles, vassals, peasants, bound by fixed roles.

Land = Wealth, cash was not important. Power based on owning and granting fiefs.

Mutual obligations: Lord gave protection; vassals gave loyalty and military service, and peasants gave service and labor.

What role did the Church play in Medieval Europe?

• Parish churches ran sacraments, holidays, tithe, life events. Monasteries cared for the poor and sick and taught Christian values to the youth.

• Pope had political and spiritual power, excommunication, and interdict would influence rulers.

• Collected tithe, managed estates, effected the economy.

Philip II of France/his accomplishments

• France king that was a clever and capable leader.

• Strengthened government by reducing feudal power and expanded royal territory.

• He paid middle class officials who owed their loyalty to him and instead of appointing nobles.

• Introduced national tax and granted charters.

• Gained control of English lands in Normandy, Anjou, southern France, through trickery, diplomacy, and war.

Code of Chivalry

• Set of moral and social rules for knights

• Bravery in Battle

• loyalty to one’s lord

• Honor and keeping one’s word

• Protection of the weak including peasants and women

• Fair combat between knights.

Pope Urban II

• Launched First Crusade, called Christians to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem.

• Strengthened papal authority, ended simony from kings and nobles,

• Offered forgiveness to those who joined the Crusade.

Pope Innocent III

• Strengthened papal authority.

• Organized the fourth Crusade, which was unsuccessful. Crusaders diverted from Jerusalem and instead attacked Constantinople.

• Reinforced bans against simony.

How did the development of universities in medieval Europe strengthen the Church and unify society

• Better Clergy training: Cathedral schools turned into universities, producing well-educated clergy to lead religious life.

• Shared learning and values created a common curriculum and reinforced Christian values.

• Universities brought honor to cities, while also supporting royal bureaucracies and strengthening ties between Church, government, and society.

What was the reconquista and its effects on Spain /Religious and economic

• Long series of campaigns by Christian kingdoms to reclaim Spain and Portugal from Muslim rule.

• Religious effect: Strengthened Christianity in Spain by expelling or forcing Muslims and Jews to convert, reducing religious diversity.

• Economic effect: The loss of Muslim and Jewish merchants and scholars hurt Spain’s economy and intelligence, weakening trade and knowledge exchange.