Western Europe in the Medieval Period

• published: 04 Jan 2013
• views: 797

Don't forget to hit the Like and Subscribe videos to make sure you receive notifications about upcoming Literature, Grammar, Reading, Writing, and World History lessons from MrBrayman.Info. Below is the outline of the slides used in the lesson: Western Europe in the Medieval Period Collapse of the Roman World Fall of Rome in 476CE Roman legions and bureaucrats called back to Rome for its last defense Division of the empire into western and eastern halves Continuity of Roman Empire in Byzantium (east) until 1453CE Collapse of the Roman World Latin—Roman language, continuity—became the "Romance Languages"—Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian Roman Catholic Church—centralized church power in Rome Collapse of the Roman World Power Vacuum—a sudden loss of centralized political and military power—anarchy! Vikings—raiders from Scandinavia, STEM: longboats, raided monasteries and small cities/villages Rising illiteracy, violence, starvation—The Dark Ages Medieval Politics Fuedalism Chain of Being Manorialism ron-tipped plows, Three-Field System African wheat, alfalfa (for horses) from Persia, horse collar possibly imported from China or locally developed Charles Martel, The Hammer Charlemagne (Charles the Great) Charlemagne crowned "Holy Roman Emperor" by the Pope Reorganization of Europe: The Magna Carta King John of England Limited Government—the first step to modern democracy Three Estates—represented by parliament—the church, the nobles, and city leaders Reorganization of Europe: Economic Changes Movement of people into cities Less serfdom under large crop surpluses and some early urban manufacturing Reorganization of Europe: Economic Reforms Continued breakdown of manorialism and the freeing of serfs Banking—Jews could loan money at interest—forbidden to Christians Later relaxation of anti-usury (loaning money at interest) laws in places like the Netherlands and Italy Banking=Credit=Investment Paper money and centralized coinage—allowed for easier trade over long distances Reorganization of Europe: Economic Reforms Continued low involvement of government in economics Guilds—organizations of workers—e.g. butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers—who controlled who could make what and what would be charged Reorganization of Europe: Religious Reforms Investiture controversy—conflict between Pope Gregory VII and the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV over whether the Pope or the Emperor would choose bishops This was a conflict over the Separation of Church and State Reorganization of Europe: Religious Reforms Rational versus Mystic—Peter Abelard and Bernard of Clairvaux debated reason versus mystery Early conflict between reason and faith and man's ability to know God versus the need for faith Scholasticism European Expansionism and the Crusades Memories of lost Roman greatness Fears of Muslim domination Pope Urban II—called for the First Crusade, 1095CE, to expel Muslims from The Holy Land The Crusades lasted for two centuries and had very little lasting impact on Muslim politics and power Large impacts on European trade, economies, politics, and STEM knowledge, but no long-term gain of power in The Holy Land Medieval Art Gothic art and architecture Epic literature Almost entirely religious Medieval Climate Changes General warming trend during the late Medieval period Spread of disease Improvements in agricultural production Expansion of intensive agriculture northward The Black Death Labor Shortage Crossbows and gunpowder—threats to nobility's cavalry The Long-Term Impact of Medieval Europe Growing expansionism Limited government, early rule of law, and parliaments Growing separation of church and state Banking and investments Urbanization (shift into cities from the country)