1.6 AP World Notes

Record Keeping Using Ge'ez Manuscript

  • Ge'ez is an ancient South Semitic language used primarily in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The use of Ge'ez manuscripts was significant for recording historical events, religious texts, and cultural aspects of the region.

Developments in Europe During the 1200s

  • The 1200s marked a transformative period in European history with various political and social changes.

Fall of the Roman Empire

  • The Roman Empire fell leading to a significant shift in political power dynamics in Europe.

Creation of the Byzantine Empire

  • The Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire, emerged from the remnants of the Roman Empire. It played a crucial role in preserving classical knowledge and had a profound influence on Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

  • Eastern Orthodox Christianity was used by the Byzantine Empire to justify the central government and assert authority.

The Role of the Byzantine Empire in Christianity

  • After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Eastern Orthodox Christianity remained a significant religious authority in the region.

Decentralization and Political Fragmentation

  • A large empire that once controlled Europe transformed into decentralized political entities.

  • The social, political, and economic order in Western Europe was characterized by feudalism.

Feudalism

  • Definition: A system of allegiances between powerful lords, monarchs, and knights.

    • Great lords would gain allegiance from smaller lords in exchange for land, which was essential for maintaining their authority and governance.

Manorialism

  • Definition: An economic system where peasants were bound to land and worked it in exchange for protection from the lord and his military forces.

  • It illustrates the relationship between the lord and the laboring class.

Rise of Monarchies

  • During the 1200s, monarchs began to assert more power compared to local lords, impacting the feudal structure.

Impact of the Roman Catholic Church on Western Europe

  • The Roman Catholic Church played a crucial role in unifying people under a shared faith.

    • Influences: The church significantly influenced politics, education, and culture across Western Europe.

Causes of Political Decentralization

  • Factors leading to political decentralization included:

    • Weak central monarchies.

    • Frequent fighting among local authorities.

    • Heavy reliance on local lords for protection.

Effects of Political Decentralization

  • The resultant effects included:

    • Rise of feudalism due to fragmented authority.

    • Development of localized economies.

    • Frequent conflicts among nobles.

The Manorial System

  • Description: An economic system where peasants and serfs worked the land in exchange for protection provided by the lord.

Role of Serfdom in Europe

  • Serfs were bound to the land and primarily provided labor for their lords.

  • This labor was pivotal for the backbone of the feudal economy, comprising both serfdom and manorialism.

Decline of Serfdom

  • The decline of serfdom was influenced by several factors:

    • Increase in wages.

    • Growth of urban areas.

    • The impact of the Black Plague, which caused labor shortages and led to serfs seeking better conditions.