Western+Europe

Impact of Christianity (490-600)
 * Christian Churches became the new "information highway"(Roman Catholic in West and Eastern Orthodox in Byzantine)
 * world monopolized by the clergy as Europe became fragmented
 * clergy focused on own religious doctrine and ignored knowledge -> deepening of the Dark Ages
 * Kings that align with the Church gained policiatl advantage
 * In Christianity, there is absolute authority which meant that kings were able to further enforce their rule
 * concept of submitting to absolute authority made it natural for people to accept absolute authority from a "divine" king

Reign of Charles Martel & Viking Raids (600 - 755)
 * Vikings from Scandinavia raided coast of Britian and targeted monasteries because they were undefended and captured slaves
 * founder of the Great Carolingian Dynasty, first Frankish leader to consolidate Frankish power
 * pioneered the use of newly-advanced stirrups that allowed soldiers soldiers to perform effectively
 * Franks achieved overwhelming military advantage throughout Europe
 * introduced concept of heavy infantry and a permanent army
 * Franks began to expand eastward submitting Germanic tribes to Frankish rule

The Rise of the Franks (755-850)
 * Military Excellence
 * advanced stirrups for better control of weapons while on cavalry
 * learned military technology of Romans since they were in closer contact
 * created first permanent, professional army after collapse of Rome
 * concept of heavily armored infantry
 * Geo-Politics
 * Franks expanded from their home territory, building off their existing power base
 * accepted by Roman population => quick to convert to Roman Catholicism
 * well insulated from Muslims and vikings
 * vikings did raid Franks but areas were not strategically threatening
 * Politics
 * didn't employ same heavy taxation like Romans had done
 * allowed fair amount of local autonomy
 * Centralization
 * tradition of Franks split personal possessions equally among children
 * Clovis murdered all his siblings and families of other tribes to consolidate rule among large number of tribes
 * resulted in a single, powerful nation
 * downfall of the Frankish Empire when empire was divided among heirs in 9th century
 * Leadership
 * successful leaders
 * Clovis, Martel and Charlemagne

Feudalism (840 - 967)
 * a military/economic/social order where monarch grants feudal lords large parcels of land in exchange for unified military protection
 * knights and peasants given smaller pieces of land and protection in exchange for loyalty and and military services
 * feudal lords essentially rule the people on a piecemeal basis
 * division of the empire by Louis I's three sons changed a strong centralized rule into a multitude of petty kingdoms throughout the continent
 * Fragmentation discouraged unification and urbanization, rule of law and the economy become entirely land-based

Christianity and the High Middle Ages & Expansion of Holy Roman Empire (967 - 1060)
 * Christianity and the High Middle Ages
 * Christianity still dominated continent since most religions that branched off pledged allegiance to papal authority
 * increase in papal influence and sense of commonality
 * by 10th/11th centuries, almost all barbaric people in Europe have been Christianized = denouncement of raids and stronger defensive capabilities by nation states
 * Christian Crusades revive in Asia
 * stimulated Asian trade, introduced Islamic science/enlightenment into Europe
 * pop in Europe grew
 * power of religion transcends nationalism and other loyalty
 * Expansion of Holy Roman Empire
 * started with Otto I the Great (Holy Roman Emperor)
 * able to exercise power over ecclesiastic authorities, appointing clergy and even the pope himself
 * appointed several supporters/relatives to high ecclesiastic offices within German Empire
 * allowing Otto to consolidate power and influence throughout German States
 * conquered Italy
 * est. the Papal States while guaranteeing papal independence
 * existed according to will and mercy of Otto I
 * HRE remained decentralized
 * dukes have ability to rule their own duchies within empire
 * contributes to the decline of HRE power

Effects of the Crusades, Norman conquest of England and Magna Carta (1060-1240)
 * Effects of the Crusades
 * Senseless Violence and Wars
 * Crusader mentality was that Christianity must displace Islam/Judaism at all cost, violence
 * persecutions of Jews, high death toll of both Christians and Muslims
 * Captured Jerusalem
 * Muslim/Jewish resident
 * slaughtered including women
 * Undermining Church Moral Authority
 * Slaughter of Jews/Muslims used as indictment against Roman Catholic Church during Protestant Reformation
 * Distrust of Christians
 * Christians developed a reputation as a ruthless and exploitive group when they violently persecuted Jews and destroyed Muslims
 * Opened Way for Future Muslim Conquests of Europe
 * Crusaders compelled to conquered Constantinople as animosity grew between the Chruches
 * after Byzantine reconquered, damage irreversible
 * Ottoman armies conquered Byzantine then the remainder of Eastern Europe
 * Asian Influences
 * Crusades increase European knowledge of Asian world
 * more cosmopolitan influence brought to Europe
 * Increased Anti-Semitism
 * Devotion and loyalty to Church increased
 * religious tolerance was at a low
 * leaving Jew pop. as a target
 * Norman conquest of England and Magna Carta
 * Normans invade and conquered England => become the ruling class of England
 * Magna Carta = first step towards democracy since end of Rome
 * Nobles marched to London and forced King John to agree to document ensuring certain rights
 * after nobles in England reached breaking point with the king's failures
 * loss of economically important territories in France

Why the Golden Horde was able to dominate Europe and the Black Death Plague (1240 - 1350)
 * Golden Horde
 * Forced West
 * Mongols forced west from central Asia territory due to dry weather
 * highly dependent upon trade so since agriculture suffered, they moved to greener areas
 * Superior Military Technology
 * exposure to various methods such as superior horsemanship skills and superior bows
 * Strengthening Numbers
 * increased their ranks by forcing deafeated peoples to join and fight with them
 * slaughtered all defeated people that would not join them
 * frightening power
 * Rus people submitted to their rule with a fair amount of autonomy
 * Learned Diplomacy
 * dominated northern trade route from Europe to Asia
 * contributed to their wealth and sophistication => learned other aspects
 * sciences and gov't philosophies => enhanced ability to diplomatically appease conquered people
 * Europe's Weakened Condition
 * arrival coincided the the Black Death plague
 * Black Death Plague
 * Increased Persecution of the Jews
 * Jews blamed for the plague and some settlements were destroyed as a result
 * Jews were seen as a conspiracy or curse from God for allowing Jews
 * Peasant Revolts
 * Monarchs and nobles instituted wage controls even though wages should increase due to labor shortage
 * common due to inability of the gov't
 * Papal Authority Weakens
 * Church powerless to stop plague since viruses not fully understood
 * Black Death seen a a curse and promises/predictions were unfulfilled
 * philosophical questioning and critical analysis of life/world since prayers and devotion to Church did nothing
 * Lower-Class Leverage and Enlightenment
 * at death toll's worst, many believed world was coming to an end
 * survivors and posterity thrived in post-Black Death
 * peasants benefit from higher wages due to labor shortages
 * Renaissance and Enlightenment
 * people start questioning and challenging the Church and the King
 * academic knowledge in place of superstition

Movie Notes · In 800 years -> rome conquered by Visogoths -> destoryed everything and people taken slaves · Alvarik, head of the Visogoths -> turned against Rome when they didn’t give him position · Arrived in Rome looking for food/money -> desparate = invasion · Put seige on Rome for 2 years -> got treasures but no food so they left · 3rd century AD, city fell into bad leader rules, all 12 emperors were brutal murdered · Smallpox and measles · Emperors had to hire foreign mercenaries -> Romans treated them bad = rebellion · 5th century · Invading tribes came to Rome to conquered · Dark Ages came when Rome fell, life went back to urban life, sewer and aquadocs don’t work · People began to live in huts/shacks again · Once glory civilization still stood during Dark Ages -> made people believe life became worse · Dark Ages – compared this period to earlier period classical period o Fall of Rome to this period · Alter Europe’s history · Monks and missionaries -> new emperor considered Jesus Christs o King of Franks become Christians (Clovis) § United all the people § Clovis is 15 years old -> lead army to conquer § Died in 511 AD, unknown cause · Political problems quickly go to military problems o Noncombants suffer the most due to no protection · Christs followings increased greatly o Constantine legalized Christinaity § Visioned Christian sign during battle · Conquered defeated people = new people fighting in army o Supreme ruler of France o Killed all revelatives so that sons would be able to take · Eastern Europe -> Justianian planning to recapturing Western terriorty o Power in 527 AD  o Took all absolute power to try to get money § People held Justinian under seige · 533 AD- italy/spain/north africa controlled by barbarians · Cultural divide o Empire split into 2, 1 emperor in each side o West stands or falls on its own since east no longer can help with divided empire · Theodera was a dancer -> Justinian changed laws to marry o When Justinian ready for exile, she was able to save empire during Nicco riots · 538 AD – armies reconquered west, 1 terriorty at a time · Justinian built greatest catherdals · Black Death plague o Arrived via shipping in Constatnople o Justinian had gotten plague but surrived -> never the same o Half of population died § Economic ability fails, labor decreased · Byzantine empire couldn’t finalalical substained themselves when Jsutinian died · Europe economy now depend on agriculture (same as they once been before Rome) · Light shined from churches and monastories during Dark Ages · Bead wrote book of history from Caeser’s rule all the way to his time o Many monks were literate -> many people not monks will not be literate · Benedicts o Became leader of a monateries o But monks planned to poison him -> cup of water shattered, bread stolen by raven · Christian Franks vs Mulsims Moors o Moors try to conquer France o Charles Martle anticipate Moor invasion § Needed money to substain a permnament amry · Turned to the church and used their land to finacne o Martle’s wall held Moor’s invasion § Martle sent 2nd set of army in behind enemy lines and forced the Moors to Spain · Charlemange greastest king of the dark ages, first since fall of Rome o Reest. Economy, education o Never lost a military campagin o Founder of the HRE o Thought to save people by forcing them to be christians

media type="custom" key="7545157" Manorialism After Rome’s fall, the most effective political organization used consisted of local lands owned by landlords who sheltered their peasant laborers. This system was known as Manorialism. In Manorialism, peasant laborers, called serfs, live on a self-sufficient agricultural estate owned by landlords who protect them in exchange for goods produced. The manorial system was strengthened by the decline of trade and the lack of a political structure. Technology and techniques were also developed to help aid the already difficult life of serfs. The moldboard allowed workers to plow deeper into the soil. The three-field system allowed land to regain fertility. Although serfs worked and lived under an “owner”, they were not considered slaves since they couldn’t be bought or sold.

media type="custom" key="7545457"

Feudalism Feudalism developed in the 6th century and helped link many military elites. Feudalism used the same concept of “upper classes” would provide protection to the “lower class” except it was more towards lords. Feudal relationships were also used in order to cover large regions. European feudalism developed strong central states and also reduced local warfare. Feudalism was used by kings to build power. Kings in France used feudalism more to try and control as many manors as possible. A strong feudal monarchy was eventually born in France but centralization had gone to the point where the king had the power to make churches pay taxes and minting of money. A feudal monarchy was also introduced in England when William the Conqueror extended his feudal system from France to England.

media type="custom" key="7554483" Magna Carta The Magna Carta was one of the first steps in Europe towards a stronger government. During the forced agreement from King John by feudal lords, the king's power was cut and lords and bishops would have to be consulted before any actions can be taken. In the Magna Carta, it defines a few set of laws pertaining to property rights through inheritance by the heirs. Mostly inheritance is mentioned in the Magna Carta and states that where a property would go to if someone died and what happens if the heir is too young to be able to have the property. The power that local authorities have are defined within the Manga Carta saying that if criminals are caught, only certain things can be done to the property. Also in the document, which was created by the people. says that both sides would be able to gain from this whereas prior to the Magna Carta, the king benefits from absolute rule while everyone else is ruled by him.

Western Europe M.I - In Western Europe, there was little economy in ﻿feudalism but as agriculture began to grow trade also began to grow. || pope = highest, bishops head of regional churches
 * E || * not much market economy to stimulate production so landlords used serfs for personal gains
 * greater thirst for international trade thanks to Crusades
 * trade revived in 10th century and West became a common commercial zone
 * merchants traded more although life was still using local consumption
 * gains in agriculture promoted larger changes in medieval economic life
 * urban growth = specialized manufacturing and commercial activities
 * banking introduced to the West
 * use of money spread
 * Christian merchants =/= Muslim merchant success
 * S || * **Serfs﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿** - people who lived on self-sufficient agricultural estates
 * agricultural workers who received protection from landlords in return of part of their goods and to remain on the land
 * not considered slaves since couldn't be bought or sold by landlords technically "own" them
 * able to give and receive inheritances
 * peasants able to shake off manorialism and become free farmers
 * lords do not like commerce and begin to tax serfs more even though they were gaining sense of freedom
 * **Guilds** formed
 * groups of people who have the same trade/business
 * played important political and social role in cities
 * Women's work remained vital
 * had higher status than Muslim women
 * important role in local commerce but hemmed in by male-dominate society
 * Christians - equality of all souls
 * less role in household, less segregation in religious services

M.I - During the Dark Ages, many people became serfs in order to receive protection while others joined monasteries for education and religious reasons. || MI - Western Europe was political divided where the pope and holy roman emperor had power as well as all the landlords. || MI - Christianity spread throughout Western Europe as people wanted to filled a sense of void. || MI - Catholic churches went through many periods of decline and renewal. || MI - Although during the Dark Ages and education declined, there were a few brilliant minds that emerged. || MI - There was very little development of technology during the Dark Ages since people resorted back into small "isolated" areas. ||
 * P || * Italy became politically divided and Spain controlled by Muslims
 * **Manorialism** -> political/economical relationship b/w landlords and laborers
 * strengthened by decline of trade and lack of a political system
 * relied heavily on Serfs
 * **Feudalism** -> relationship between many lords
 * greater lords protected lesser lords (**vassals**)
 * used by lords to build own power, more land = more power
 * kings eventually have absolute power
 * **Clovis,** converted to Christianity and forced others to also and gained greater prestige by doing so
 * **Caroligians** took over monarchy
 * **Charles Martel** defeated Muslims in the battles of Tours in 732
 * confined Muslims to Spain
 * Byzantine defeat of Arabs
 * **Charlemagne** -> est. empire in France and Germany
 * helped restore some education and intellectual activity began to increase
 * after death empire split into three
 * political history of Europe after this point consists of regional monarchies
 * **Holy Roman Emperors** merged Christianity with classical claims
 * **Magna Carta** created and King John forced to sign it by lords in 1215
 * democratic aspect
 * limited power for monarch
 * Parliament created in late 13th century
 * represented privileged groups other than the individual voters
 * represented **three estates**
 * church, nobles, urban leaders
 * growth of trade and banking = origin of capitalistic in willingness to invest in trading ventures while expecting profit
 * I || * raids done by **Vikings** from Scandinavia
 * raids eventually stopped after Vikings converted to Christianity and settled down
 * **William the Conqueror** -> extended feudalism in England after invading
 * conquered England
 * The First Crusade called by **Urban II**
 * attacked Islam greatly appealed to why people joined in
 * new Western superiority wasn't demonstrated by Crusades
 * exposed West to new culture and economic influences
 * R || * power of Christian Church growing
 * only example of a solid organization
 * Papal missionaries brought religion past boundaries of the old Roman Empire
 * **Peter Abelard** - worked to establish logical tradition but personality move tradition to new level
 * challenged by **Bernard of Clairvaux** by stressing importance of God and how God's truth must be received through faith
 * I || * Thomas Aquinas, Italian Monk who was most brilliant minds in European history
 * worked to blend knowledge with faith
 * thought he be able to sum up essential understanding of man
 * monasteries served as example of holy life
 * improved cultivation of the land
 * provided education and promoted literacy
 * new languages begin to evolve such as French and English
 * during time of political development and economic advances
 * Rome's lost greatness resurfaces
 * **Scholasticism** - dominant medieval philosophical approach, based in schools
 * emphasized on mastering past learning + organizing it logically
 * T || * moldboards to make serf life easier
 * three field system developed to keep lands fertilized
 * Gothic architects built church spires and tall arched windows
 * horse collar developed to prevent horses from choking

The Decline of the Medieval Synthesis
 * Western Europe faced new problems of overpopulation and diseases
 * major war engulfed France and England in 14th century and 15th century
 * Hundred Years War
 * a sign of weakness in French monarchy
 * kings reduced reliance on prancing forces of nobility in favor of paid armies
 * new military methods developed
 * archers learned how to unseat knights using powerful bows
 * France won with leadership of **Joan of Arc**
 * Population and Land
 * agriculture could not keep up with population growth
 * severe famines and plagues, **Black Death**
 * new social structure
 * aristocracy began to disappear as professional armies and new weapons developed
 * idea of chivalry developed
 * shifts in balance between church and state
 * church leaders were preoccupied with their political involvement
 * breakdown of intellectual and artistic synthesis
 * church officials became less tolerant of intellectual daring
 * artists began more interested in human features instead of religious figurers