Medieval Europe and the Middle Ages

TOPIC: THE MIDDLE AGES

III. Crusades (1100-1300)

B) Causes of (reasons for) the Crusades:

2) It appealed to Christians to fight in the name of God….Propitiate: win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them

3) European Christians believed the Holy Land should not be controlled by Muslims.

4) Many poor Europeans wanted to escape from feudalism: since if you fought and moved, you would find new opportunities for wealth, land, and better living conditions and prosperity in the East, acquiring land, wealth and power that they did not have in Europe

5) Many Europeans hoped to gain wealth from the Middle East.

C) Effects (results) of the Crusades:

1) After years of fighting, trade between Europe and the Middle East increased (Italian cities such as Venice gained control over much of this trade since they had a central location in the Mediterranean Sea).

2) Lots of fighting led to many deaths

2) Europeans learned about the many achievements that Muslims had made during their Golden Age (i.e.- achievements in math, science, medicine, philosophy, and art). CULTURAL DIFFUSION

3) Feudalism in Europe began to decline as many nobles had been killed and many serfs had escaped.

4) Unifying diverse groups under the same title of European Christians

Considered a beneficial loss, because although the Crusades were not able to get the Holy land, the crusades caused a lot of technological and literary advancements

TOPIC: THE TRANSFORMATION OF WESTERN EUROPE

I. The Black Death (1347-1351)

A) The Black Death refers to the major disease (called bubonic plague) that killed 25 million people in Europe (almost 1/3 of the population) during the late Middle Ages.

B) The disease started in East Asia (maybe China) and spread to Europe over trade routes such as the Silk Road. The interaction of different groups of people helped spread the disease.

C) Major effects (results) of the Black Death:

1) Depopulation- The population of Europe decreased from 85 million to 60 million.

2) Feudalism continued to decline as serfs fled from manors for better opportunities.

3) Trade temporarily decreased, causing the economy to decrease

4) Limited education and advancements since nobody could risk going to school

Faith in religion: decreased since prayer didn't work and people felt abandoned by their religious leaders since they couldn't help/visit, decreased church visits, religious leaders died

Economy: Price of goods became more expensive since there were less surfs willing to work the land

Feudalismś strict social hierarchy: fell apart since everyone got sick no matter their social status and the lower class (surfs) were allowed to charge more for their services since finding ppl who were willing to work was rare

Family life: fell apart since people abandoned their family when they were dying to not get sick

Government/rule of law:Fell apart since dying was more drastic than breaking the law. Many people were home sick so not a lot of crimes were committed.

Population: population decreased

II. Charlemagne's Reign (768 to 814) King of the Franks and Holy Roman

Charlemange´s reign CONTRADICTED the claim that the Middle Ages were Dark Ages

Charlemange was eloquent and well spoken, of strong build and good health (according to his scholars)

Frequent exercise occurred and the Franks were some of the best at horseback riding

He promoted education by issuing religious leaders to establish schools near places of worship

Charlemange wanted the best for civilians and wanted them to be educated, etc.

II. The Renaissance (1400-1600)

Early Modern Period

We are currently in the Late modern period

This was when the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Protestant Reformation, cultural diffusion, and more concurred, eventually leading to the Age of Exploration

A) The Renaissance was the Golden Age of Western Europe. The Renaissance had the following

characteristics:

1) Like all Golden Ages, there were amazing achievements in the arts, literature, and science.

2) Renaissance scholars studied art and books from ancient Greece and Rome.

3) Humanism- There was a focus on humans and life on earth instead of on God and Heaven.

- Language and literature increased

- Printing press helped spread it

- Many arts contained more color, interaction, more accurate description

B) The Renaissance began in Italy because:

1) The Italian city-states (like Venice and Florence) had great economies. These areas controlled

Mediterranean trade and grew very wealthy. Much of this wealth was used to support artists. There was already things the colosseum, forum, and more as well as a center of cultural achievements, making it a good place to start the Renaissance

C) Famous artists of the Renaissance include Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael

D) Niccolo Machiavelli- Famous author of the Renaissance who wrote a book called “The Prince,” which is a guide for government leaders. Key ideas of this book include:

1) Rulers must have absolute power and do whatever is necessary to stay in power (even if that

means dishonest and cruel behavior).

2) “The end justifies the means”- Leaders must do whatever is necessary to help their nation.

3) A ruler should seem honest and generous but should be ready to abandon these irl

4) If you kill, kill so that no revenge can be taken

5) only focus on war and discipline as a ruler

6) Don´t give and spend freely or it creates hatred

Galileo's observations

Realized that the Earth is heliocentric and fought saying that the Bible should be reinterpreted

Placed on house arrest for: going against the Church (being a heretic) AND saying the Bible should be reinterpreted

The catholic church questioned Galileo and asked for proof. Years later the Catholic church realized that Galileo was right.

Scientific Revolution:

Europeans adopted the Hindu number system through trade

Creation of classification system

Table of elements created for Earth Science

Issac Newton and his laws

Protestant Reformation

There were many abuses in the church: sold indulgences, Latin was the only language preached, increased fees to the church (and religious leaders were pocketing this $ for their gain)

Martin Luther saw these abuses and created the 95 Theses, a list of 95 things the church was doing wrong

Martin Luther: started the Protestant Reformation and Lutheranism

John Calvin: created Calvinism and God has predetermined your path, predestination

Martin Luther – Critic of the Catholic Church; started the Reformation

John Calvin – Protestant leader; believed in predestination

Pope Leo X – Catholic pope during the start of the Reformation

Johann Tetzel – Sold indulgences to raise money for the Church

Galileo Galilei – Scientist whose work challenged the Church

Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor who supported the Catholic Church

The Catholic Reformation/the Counter-Reformation: The Council of Trent

Went against protestand beliefs and claimed that people who believed in the following (protestant beliefs) would be cursed:

Priesthood for all believers

Salvation by faith alone (not Jesus)

The Bible is the only authority for Christian life (not the Pope)

Reformed so that people of all languages could understand the sacraments

Counter acted the protestant reformation w their own reforms

Pope Paul III called the Council of Trent to direct the reform movement

Catholic Traditions

End abuses of the Churc

Set up schools to educate Clergy: consitency in education

west=roman catholic, feudalism and decentralized government, less resources, rome fell here first, becoming medieval europe, latin, manormalism

byzantine= eastern ortho, centralized government, more resources, became, greek, trading