AP World History Unit 1.6

Developments in Europe

Historical Context

• Time Frame: c. 1200 to c. 1450

• Decline of the Roman Empire: In the 5th and 6th centuries, a decline in trade and intellectual life occurred as Europe transitioned into the Middle Ages (medieval period).

• Shift to Decentralization: After the fall, Europe fragmented into smaller kingdoms that constantly fought for territory.

• Role of the Catholic Church: Remained the most significant institution, providing stability and unity from Roman times until the 16th century.

• High Middle Ages Revival: Between 1000 and 1450, a resurgence in learning and trade occurred. Scholars like Peter Abelard began to re-examine classical thought and critique the Church while remaining loyal to Christianity.

Feudalism: Political and Social Systems

• Definition: Decentralized political organization where land was exchanged for loyalty and service, forming a feudal system.

• Structure of Feudalism:

  • Monarch: Grants land (fiefs) to lords.

  • Lords: Became the king's vassals, pledging service.

  • Knights: Receives land from lords and pledge to fight for them.

  • Peasants/Serfs: Provided labor and produce in exchange for land and protection from lords.

• Security and Wealth:

  • Provided security for peasants, equipped knights, and defined wealth as land ownership, not cash.

  • Developed a code of chivalry focusing on honor and bravery, although it perpetuated limited rights for women.

Manorial System

• Description: Large estates (manors) that were economically self-sufficient.

• Social Structure: Included peasants and serfs tied to the land. They paid tribute to the lord and had limited rights regarding movement and marriage.

• Agricultural Advances: The three-field system increased efficiency by rotating crops, which included wheat, legumes (fertilizers), and fallow land. Technological innovations like windmills and improved plows contributed to growth.

Political Trends in Later Middle Ages

• Monarchical Power: Gradual shift of power from feudal lords to monarchs in England and France.

  • Bureaucracy Formation: Monarchs began employing bureaucratic structures to manage their lands directly.

• Estates-General: Established by King Philip IV in France to advise the king, although it held limited power due to lack of tax responsibility by clergy and nobility.

• Holy Roman Empire: Crowned by Otto I in 962, faced struggles with the papacy regarding lay investiture, resolved in 1122's Concordat of Worms.

Changes in England and the Hundred Years' War

• Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror's invasion in 1066 established a strong feudal system in England.

• Magna Carta (1215): Limited the power of King John, ensuring rights like jury trials and broader consultation with the nobility.

• Formation of Parliament (1265): The first English Parliament emerged, increasing the political power of nobility.

• Hundred Years' War (1337-1453): Series of conflicts between England and France that fostered national identities and introduced gunpowder in warfare.

Religious Context

• Crusades: Military campaigns from 1095 aiming to reclaim the Holy Land, stemming from religious, social, and economic motivations.

  • First Crusade: Successful but led to enduring conflicts.

  • Cultural Exchange: Increased demand for Middle Eastern goods amid varying socio-political pressures.

Social and Economic Change in Later Middle Ages

• Rise of Commerce: Shift from local self-sufficiency to increased trade, notably influenced by explorer Marco Polo in the late 13th century.

• Urbanization and Growth: Population growth from agricultural surplus led to the establishment of towns and markets, although the Black Death and Little Ice Age later stifled growth and caused significant social unrest.

• Religious and Ethnic Discrimination: Increased antisemitism against Jews and discrimination against Muslims, compounded by expulsions from various countries and the socio-economic transformations of the time.

• Gender Roles: Women faced diminished rights, although some found opportunities in religious and artisan guilds, contrasting with the roles of women in Islamic societies, which often afforded more equality.

Renaissance and Cultural Innovations

• Humanism: Emphasis on individual thought and secular literature became central to the Renaissance, promoting education and reforms.

• Impact of the Printing Press (1439): Revolutionized information dissemination, enhancing literacy and idea spread.

• Distinct Regional Cultures: Divergence between Southern and Northern Renaissance, led by church patronage in Italy and vernacular literature in England (e.g., Chaucer).

The Origins of Russia

• Kievan Rus: Central to trade, connected Eastern Europe culturally, especially through Orthodox Christianity.

• Mongol Invasion: Their rule led to independent growth under Ivan the Great, laying the foundations for modern Russia.

Impacts of Developments in Europe (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

1. Decentralization of Power: The fall of the Roman Empire led to a fragmented Europe where smaller kingdoms fought for territory. This decentralized political organization shaped governance for centuries.

2. Feudalism: A political and social system where land was exchanged for loyalty and service. Feudalism defined social hierarchies and roles, with monarchs granting land to lords, and lords offering protection to peasants.

   • Monarch: Ruler who grants land.

   • Lord: Vassal to the monarch who manages land.

   • Knight: Noble warrior who serves the lord in exchange for land.

   • Peasant/Serf: Workers tied to the land, providing labor and produce.

3. Manorial System: An economic system structured around large estates (manors) that were self-sustaining. This system reinforced social classes and limited rights for peasants and serfs.

4. Rise of Bureaucracy and Monarchical Power: Gradual transfer of power from feudal lords to monarchs in England and France allowed for more centralized governance, with bureaucracies managing lands directly.

5. Cultural and Commercial Growth: The High Middle Ages saw a revival in learning and trade, leading to the rise of commerce which shifted economies from local self-sufficiency towards increased trade networks.

6. Religious Campaigns and Cultural Exchange: The Crusades initiated military campaigns that resulted in cultural exchanges, including increased demand for Middle Eastern goods, amidst the backdrop of social and economic changes.

7. Social Changes: Rising urbanization and population growth initiated the establishment of towns and a market economy, while the social structure began to change, fostering opportunities for some groups, such as women in certain roles.

8. Impact of the Renaissance: The emergence of humanism emphasized individual thought, leading to educational reforms and innovations, particularly with the invention of the printing press, which dramatically changed literacy and information dissemination.