Late Middle Ages, Crusades, Medieval Culture, Modern Countries, Black Death, Renaissance
Problems in the Church
Corruption: Some priests were illiterate, and some popes were seen as corrupt, undermining the Church's moral authority.
Simony: Bishops sold positions in the Church, a practice known as Simony, which led to unqualified individuals holding important religious offices.
Violation of Vows: Many priests and clergy members broke their vows of chastity and poverty, further damaging the Church's reputation.
Reform of the Church
Enforcement of Laws: Pope Leo IX and Pope Gregory VII enforced laws against Simony and the marriage of priests, aiming to purify the Church.
Centralization of Power: The Church was organized to resemble a kingdom with the pope as the head, centralizing power and authority.
Canon Law: The Church developed Canon Law, a body of laws governing religious practices and moral conduct.
Tithes and Social Services: The Church collected taxes in the form of tithes, one-tenth of yearly income, and used some of it to perform social services such as caring for the poor and sick.
Causes of the Crusades: The Age of Faith
Islamic Conquests: The Islamic Empire's conquest of Jerusalem and Damascus, both holy cities, alarmed Christians and fueled religious zeal.
Byzantine-Islamic Conflicts: Conflicts between the Byzantine Empire and Islamic Empires prompted the Byzantine Emperor to seek help from the Pope in Rome.
Religious Motivation: Pope Urban II called on Christians to reclaim the Holy Land, promising remission of sins for those who participated, tapping into deep religious fervor.
1095: Council of Clermont
Pope Urban's Appeal: Pope Urban II called on Christians to take back Jerusalem, promising a ticket to heaven for participants, igniting widespread religious enthusiasm.
Expansion of Church Power: The Pope hoped to extend the Church’s power in the east, increasing its influence and territory.
Healing the Schism: There was an ambition to heal the schism between the Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic) Churches, uniting Christendom under Rome.
The Crusades
Definition: Crusades = series of wars between Christians and Muslims over Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Map of Crusades routes and key locations:
Includes cities like Lisbon, Paris, Metz, Venice, Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Antioch.
Details of First, Second, Third, and Fourth Crusades, Crusade of Frederick II, and Crusades of Louis IX.
Key figures: Conrad III, Louis VII, Richard the Lionhearted, Philip Augustus, Frederick Barbarossa, Godfrey of Bouillon, Saladin, and Pope Urban II.
Timeline
Duration: 200 Years & 9 Crusades.
Success: Only the first crusade was significantly successful in establishing a Christian foothold in the Holy Land.
Key Crusades:
1096-1099 - First Crusade: Resulted in the capture of Jerusalem by Christian forces.
1145-1149 - Second Crusade: A failed attempt to recapture Edessa, which had fallen to Muslim forces.
1189-1192 - Third Crusade: Led by Richard the Lionheart, it aimed to recapture Jerusalem but ended in a truce with Saladin.
1202 - Fourth Crusade: Sacked Constantinople, further deepening the divide between the Eastern and Western Churches.
1212 - Children's Crusade: A tragic and misguided attempt by children to peacefully convert Muslims, most of whom were captured or died.
1217-1250 - Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Crusades: A series of largely unsuccessful campaigns led by various European monarchs.
1396 - The Last Crusade: A final attempt to stop the Ottoman advance into Europe, which ended in defeat at the Battle of Nicopolis.
Effects of the Crusades
Weakening of Papal Authority: Failure of later Crusades weakened the Pope and nobles, diminishing their political influence.
Strengthening of Monarchs: Monarchs gained power as they were able to levy taxes and raise armies for the Crusades, consolidating their authority.
Economic Impact: Wealth and ideas looted from the East and the Middle East were brought back to Western Europe, stimulating trade and cultural exchange.
Increased Trade: Increased trade between Europe and the Middle East led to the exchange of goods, technologies, and ideas.
Increased Tensions: Heightened tensions between Christians, Muslims, and Jews led to persecution and conflict.
Weakening of the Byzantine Empire: The sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade significantly weakened the Byzantine Empire, eventually leading to its collapse.
Medieval Change in Culture
Population Growth: Increase in population led to greater demand for goods and services, spurring economic growth.
Urbanization: Growing towns and cities became centers of trade, culture, and learning.
Decline of Feudalism: The rise of towns and a merchant class weakened the feudal system, as people moved away from manors to seek opportunities in urban areas.
Increase in Trade: Trade expanded both locally and internationally, connecting Europe with distant regions.
Vernacular Languages: Local Vernacular (Languages) developing fostered cultural identity and expression.
Revival of Education: Increase in education as universities and schools were established, promoting intellectual inquiry.
Growth of Towns
Independence: Towns grew out of small manor villages and sought independence from feudal lords, gaining charters that granted them self-governance.
Emergence of Middle Class: Filled with merchants and craftsmen, leading to the emergence of a middle class that challenged the traditional social hierarchy.
Poor Living Conditions: Despite economic opportunities, towns often suffered from poor living conditions including overcrowding, poor sanitation, and disease.
Revival of Education
Translation of Texts: Church scholars translated Greek and Arabic works (From the Libraries of the Islamic Empire) into Latin, making knowledge in philosophy, medicine, and science available in Europe.
Rise of Universities: Laid foundations for rise of universities in Europe, such as the University of Paris and the University of Bologna, which became centers of learning and scholarship.
Medieval Trade Routes
Expansion of Trade Routes:
Silk Road connects China to the Mediterranean, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas between East and West.
Maritime Routes across the Indian Ocean connecting India and SE Asia to the Middle East and Mediterranean, enabling trade in spices, textiles, and precious metals.
Trans-Saharan Routes crossing the Sahara Desert connecting Western and Northern Africa, enabling the trade of gold, salt, and slaves.
Black Seas routes connected Northern Europe, facilitating trade in timber, furs, and grains.
Seas and Rivers connect Western Europe, promoting regional trade and economic integration.
Spread of Goods
Key Goods:
Gold From West Africa fueled European economies and trade.
Spices from lands around Indian Ocean were highly valued for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Textiles from India, China, Middle East, and Europe were traded extensively.
Porcelain from China and Persia was prized for its beauty and craftsmanship.
Amber from Baltic region was used in jewelry and ornamentation.
Spread of Technology
Technological Exchanges:
Paper from China, through the Muslim world, Byzantium and Western Europe revolutionized communication and record-keeping.
New Crops from India (Sugar Cane) were introduced to Europe, transforming agriculture and diet.
Waterwheels and windmills from Middle East improved agricultural productivity and manufacturing.
Compass from China facilitated navigation and exploration.
Lateen Sail from India improved maritime capabilities, enabling longer and more efficient sea voyages.
Spread of Ideas
Cultural and Intellectual Exchange:
Printing and Paper Money from China transformed communication, commerce and administration.
Buddhism from China to Korea and Japan influencing religious and artistic traditions.
Hinduism from India to Southeast Asia impacting culture, religion, and architecture.
Islam from Middle East into West Africa, Central and Southeast Asia shaping societies, laws, and education.
Rest of Europe
Spain
Portugal
England
Germany
Austria
Hungary
France
Italy
Sicily
Greece
England
Magna Carta (1215): King John signed the Magna Carta limiting the King’s power and establishing due process and rights for nobles, because of Rebels- The king and his government was not above the law.
Parliament (1270s): Creation of a Parliament under King Edward I, providing a representative body to advise the monarch and make laws.
France
Hereditary Monarchy (987): Established French monarchy made office hereditary, consolidating power in the Capetian dynasty.
Territorial Expansion (1180-1223): King Philip II tripled France’s territory through strategic alliances and military victories.
100 Years War: Series of wars between England and France that lasted over 100 years, shaping national identities and military practices
Joan of Arc= Peasant girl who led french army against English, becoming a symbol of French nationalism.
French Victory (1453): French Victory over England 1453 helped define both England and France as nations, solidifying their distinct cultures and territories.
Spain
Unification (Late 1400's): Ferdinand and Isabella unified country under Catholic Church, consolidating power and launching the Spanish Empire
Reconquista: The Reconquista drove Muslims out of Spain, leading to religious uniformity.
Inquisition: The Inquisition was established to persecute religious heretics and ensure Catholic orthodoxy.
Columbus' Route 1492: Columbus' Route 1492 initiated Spanish colonization of the Americas, opening new trade routes and expanding Spanish influence.
Russia
Ivan the Great (Late 1400’s):
Threw off Mongol rule, ending centuries of foreign domination.
Centralized power in Moscow, making it the center of Russian political and religious life.
Expanded the Russian nation through conquest and diplomacy.
Ivan the Terrible (1500’s):
Established autocratic rule (UNLIMITED POWER), consolidating power in the hands of the Tsar.
Limited the power of the aristocracy (The Nobles of Russia), reducing their influence and control.
The Black Death
Definition: Bubonic plague = Deadly bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis that spread quickly through fleas on rodents.
Mortality Rate: Killed roughly 38 million people in Europe (% of people in urban areas) (% to % of all of Europe), causing massive social and economic disruption.
Spread: Started in Asia and carried to Europe by rats and fleas along trade routes, devastating populations along the way.
Initial Impact: Italy and Sicily hit first due to their proximity to trade routes and high population densities.
Poor sanitation and overcrowding led to quick spread of the disease, exacerbating its impact.
Effects of the Plague
Population Decline: Massive decline in population led to labor shortages and economic collapse.
End of Feudalism: Ended feudalism in Europe as the labor shortage gave peasants more bargaining power and weakened the manorial system.
Available land increased, allowing peasants to demand better terms.
Labor Shortage benefits workers, leading to higher wages and improved living conditions for those who survived.
Decline of Church influence: Decline of Church influence as people questioned religious explanations for the plague.
Economic Disruption: Disruption and decline in trade due to widespread death and fear of contagion.
Increased Anti-Semitism: Increase in anti-Semitic feelings as Jews were falsely blamed for causing the plague, leading to persecution and violence.
What was Happening in Europe During the Late Middle Ages?
The Collapse of Society and the creation of a new one due to factors like the Black Death and the decline of feudalism.
Feudal Government began to collapse! Why? Because of economic changes, social mobility, and political upheaval.
People began to become disillusioned with the power of the Church because of corruption, scandals, and the Church's failure to prevent the Black Death.
The Crusades and the redirection of Trade brought new ideas, wealth, and cultural exchange to Europe.
Which led to…
The Growth of Towns as centers of commerce, culture, and innovation.
The Development of Centralized Monarchies as rulers consolidated power and established more efficient systems of governance.
Growth of trading centers in Italy, such as Florence, Venice, and Genoa, which became hubs of wealth and cultural exchange.
Rise of a wealthy Merchant Class that supported the arts, sciences, and humanist ideals.
What is being reborn?
Renaissance means rebirth, referring to a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy.
Renaissance- The Rebirth of Greco-Roman Knowledge, emphasizing classical values, humanism, and secularism.
Italian City States
Map of Italian City States
The political structure in Italy during
1350-1700s, characterized by independent city-states ruled by powerful families and republics.
The Medici Family:
Only the wealthy landowners had the means to participate in the Renaissance, funding artistic and intellectual endeavors.
Powerful banking family in Florence who funded much of the arts and scientific discoveries during the early renaissance, patronizing artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
Secularism
What is it and why does it matter?
Secularism: When society and government doesn’t let any one religion have too much power, promoting a separation of religious and political authority.
Keeps religious beliefs separate from important decisions and government, fostering tolerance and freedom of thought.
Humanism
What does it Mean???
Humanism: A belief system that emphasizes the value and dignity of all human beings, focusing on human potential and achievement.
Focuses on improving welfare and happiness without relying on religious explanations. (How to solve Human problems outside of the church?) by promoting education, civic engagement, and individual fulfillment.
How did art change?
Why? Due to new techniques, a focus on realism, and the patronage of wealthy individuals and families.
Medieval vs. Renaissance Art: Medieval art was often religious and symbolic, while Renaissance art emphasized realism, perspective, and human anatomy.
"Renaissance Man" Leonardo da Vinci
Someone who excels in multiple areas like art, science, literature, and philosophy, showcasing versatility and well-roundedness, embodying the Renaissance ideal of the well-rounded individual.
The New Focus on Education & The Gutenberg Printing Press
How might the invention of the printing press impact the rest of Europe? By facilitating the spread of knowledge, ideas, and literacy.
What might this mean for everyday people during the Renaissance? Greater access to information, increased social mobility, and the rise of a more informed public.
The Bible was the first thing to be printed, why might that be significant? Because it made the Bible more accessible to individuals, challenging the authority of the Church and promoting religious reform.
The Effects of the Renaissance
Cultural Revolution- The change of ART! with new styles, techniques, and subject matter.
Religious Revolutions- People Begin to step away from the Catholic Church leading to the Protestant Reformation and religious wars.
Political Revolutions- The Church lost power now it's time for the RICH and the MONARCHS!!!, resulting in the rise of nation-states and the decline of feudalism.
Age of Exploration! motivated by the desire for wealth, power, and new trade routes.
Scientific Revolution- More Money, More Ships, More Risks, More Trade Routes, More Money which led to new discoveries, theories, and technologies.
Research without the control of the Church! fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation.