WORLD HISTORY
NOTES – Middle Ages
FEUDALISM








Reasons why feudalism emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages. Impacts.
o
Feudalism – SYSTEM OF LOYALTY BETWEEN NOBLES & PEASANTS … PROVIDES SAFETY & SECURITY – NEEDED AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE IN THE WEST
o
Impacts – IT ESTABLISHES A SOCIAL STRUCTURE THAT LACKS MOBILITY … LOCALIZES THE ECONOMY
Characteristics of Early Middle Ages, Middle Ages, & High Middle Ages.
o
Early – DECLINE IN LEARNING. NO LARGE CITIES. LESS TRADE. POPULATION SHIFTS – ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL
o
Middle – SELECTED KINGDOMS GROW IN POWER. CHURCH GROWS IN POWER. POLITICAL & SECULAR POWERS INTERTWINE WITH RELIGIOUS
AUTHORITY. CONFLICT INCREASES: LAND, POWER, SOCIAL STATUS. CLIMATE WARMS & FARMING TECHNIQUES IMPROVE
o
High – GROWTH OF TOWNS & TRADE. NEW IDEAS INTRODUCED & TRANSITIONS TAKE SHAPE. GROWTH OF A MIDDLE CLASS IN EUROPE- DOESN’T
FIT INTO FEUDAL SOCIETY. AS PEOPLE MOVE TO TOWN, LOYALTIES FAIL – FEUDALISM IS BREAKING DOWN. GROWTH OF EDUCATION. GROWTH OF
NATION-STATES
Feudalism/manorialism provided foundations for relations in Europe.
o
Relationship between F & M – DEPENDED ON EACH OTHER. THE PLAYERS OF FEUDALISM HAD RECIPROCAL POSITIONS IN THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
FEUDALISM (social) & MANORIALISM (econ) PERPETUATED EACH OTHER.
o
Impact on Europe – CREATED CONFLICT B/C MORE LAND MEANT MORE POWER. LITTLE WARS WERE LIKELY BETWEEN LEADERS/KINGS. ABILITY TO
FIGHT MEANT ACHIEVEMENT. SOCIAL & GENDER ROLES WERE STRICTLY DEFINED.
Reasons why feudal lords wanted more land.
o
Importance of land – LAND MEANT POWER. ABILITY TO PRODUCE MORE LEAD TO GREATER WEALTH BY PRODUCTION (NOT TRADE)
o
Ways to get land & impact – BE GRANTED A FIEF (REQUIRED LOYALTY) … OFTEN THE SYSTEM DEVELOPED VERY COMPLEX, EVEN CONTRADICTORY
RELATIONSHIPS. FIGHTING DONE TO CONQUER … ALSO DEPENDENT UPON NUMBERS, ABILITY/SKILL, PROMISES, ETC.
Connection between peasants using new technologies & being more productive.
o
Role of peasants in the system – LABORERS – ESSENTIAL TO THE PRODUCTION OF THE MANOR … MORE PEASNTS = MORE WEALTH/SUCCESS
Evolution of medieval towns/cities due to growth.
o
OVERTIME TOWNS BECAME CENTERS OF COMMERCE AND WITH THAT FOLLOWED THE ARTS ($$$), EDUCATION, POLITICAL POWER, RELIGIOUS
POWER, ETC.
Decline of feudalism due to Agricultural & Commercial Revolutions.
o
Agricultural Revolution – TRANSITION FROM THE OX TO THE HORSE MEANT FASTER PLOWING = MORE ACREAGE TO CULTIVATE CROPS … A 3-FIELD
SYSTEM WILL INCREASE THE YIELDS OF AGRICULTURAL HARVESTS
o
Commercial Revolution - EXPANDED TRADE WITH THE INTRO OF GOODS WILL INCREASE OVER TIME. LED TO A NEED FOR NEW BUSINESS PRACTICES
(PARTNERSHIPS, BANKING, ETC.) … FAIRS BETWEEN MANORS LEADS TO EXPANDED MARKETS LEADS TO CURRENCY TO EXCHANGE LEADS TO
BANKING LEADS TO CAPITAL FOR BUSINESS EXPANSION.
o
Why feudalism diminished as a result - THE NEED FOR PROTECTION DECREASES AS SAFTETY/TRADE ON THE RISE. SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE MANOR
NO LONGER MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE DEMAND BY CONSUMERS. ECONOMIC CHOICES ARE BOTH PROTECTED & GUIDED BY INCREASING GUILDS
(ASSOCIATIONS OF ARTISANS & CRAFTSMEN)
The rise of a middle class in Europe in the Middle Ages. The fit of this bourgeoisie to feudalism.
o
What is a middle class – THE ARTISANS & MERCHANTS WHO NOW LIVED IN THE TOWNS BC OF THE MARKETS – FREE FROM THE LOYALTY OF
FEUDALISM. THESE BURGHERS/BOURGEOISIE BEGAN TO SEEK POWER – CHANGE ON THE WAY (THEME THROUGHOUT HISTORY). BECAME MORE
EMPOWERED WITH EDUCATION
o
Growth during the MA – THE MIDDLE CLASS GREW DURING THIS MEDIEVAL PERIOD – MOVED TO TOWN – POPULATION INCREASED – MORE FOOD
WITH LESS EFFORT SUPPORTED THIS (ABLE TO DO OTHER TASKS BESIDES FARM) (BETTER AGRICULTURE ALLOWED FOR SURPLUS TO SUPPORT)
o
The middle class & feudalism – A MIDDLE CLASS DOESN’T FIT INTO FEUDALISM. AS TOWNS GREW AND BECAME CENTERS OF POWER, FEUDALISM’S
PROMINENCE DIMINISHED
ECONOMIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES




Europe’s growing population created a need for goods not available on the manor & led to a revival of trade.
o
Life on the manor – HARSH. THE LORD’S ESTATE WAS SELF-SUFFICIENT. 15-30 FAMILIES. MANOR HOUSE, CHURCH, WORKSHOPS, COTTAGES. FIELDS,
PASTURES, FORESTS, RIVER, VILLAGE, MILL, ETC.
o
Reasons for population growth – BETTER FARMING – MORE FOOD
o
Impacts of trade – MORE GOODS & DIFFERENT GOODS NOW AVAILABLE … INCREASED WITH FAIRS … GUILDS DEVELOPED. INCREASE OF DISEASE
(PLAGUE) MEANT LESS PEASANTS – THOSE THAT SURVIVED COULD DEMAND HIGHER COMPENSATION – GET OFF THE MANOR … GO TO TOWN
Feudal lords manipulated the environment to boost incomes: cleared forests, drained swamps, reclaimed wasteland, etc.
o
Reasons – MORE PRODUCTION. MORE MONEY. MORE LAND. MORE POWER
o
Impacts – CONFLICT WITH NEARBY KINGDOMS = WAR. CHANGE IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY PROVED RUINOUS (EROSION, LOSS OF HABITAT, LOSS OF
SWAMPS AS NATURAL ECO-FILTERS)
New and different farming techniques impacted the physical environment.
o
Example/impact – NEW HARNESS ALLOWED HORSES TO BE USED TO CULTIVATE THE LAND – MORE LAND TILLED – MORE LAND TO BE CLEARED …
ISSUES
o
Example/impact – 3-FIELD SYSTEM – NEED TO CLEAR MORE LAND & ISSUES … TERRACES – FLATTENING A SLOPED PARCEL OF LAND TO SUPPORT
AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS – IMPACTS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
The Agricultural Revolution of the Middle Ages saw a transition from the two field to a three field system.
o
Farming in a two field system – CULTIVATE ONE FIELD W/ CROPS & LEAVE ONE TO RECOVER (NUTRIENTS)
o
Farming in a three field system – TWO FIELD FARMED WITH CROPS & ONE LEFT TO RECOVER
o
Impacts of the change – MORE LAND CULTIVATED > MORE FOOD > BETTER DISEASE RESISTENCE (LIVE A LITTLE BIT LONGER)
1




The enclosure movement in Europe forces people off their land – creates a population shift, conflict among people and changes to the physical environment.
o
Reasons to enclose land – LAND EQUALS POWER. SHARING IS BAD. DESIRE TO CONTROL THE LAND LED TO CONFLICT (AND A NEED FOR WARRIORS)
o
Immediate impacts – WITH THE BETTER TECHNIQUES OF FARMING THE MOVEMENT PROVIDED FORCE THAT MOVED PEOPLE TO TOWNS. THE
STRONG PROPERED. THE WEAK DECLINED. THE GAP B/T THE HAVE & HAVE NOTS WIDENED.
o
Indirect impacts – THE SYSTEM DESTROYED ITSELF. THE GROWTH OF TOWNS & EXPANDED TRADE MADE FEUDALISM OBSOLETE – NO ONE LEFT TO
BE LOYAL.
Population growth creates a need for more farmland and colonization.
o
Reasons to add farmland/colonies – ECONOMIC PROSPERITY. POWER.
o
Positives – INTRO TO NEW IDEAS & GOODS. PRODUCTIVITY
o
Negatives – CRUELTY. POWER IS DANGEROUS … MANIPULATION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY … NEGATIVE VIEW OF DIFFERENT CULTURES.
New business practices emerged as the Middle Ages transitioned in the commercial revolution: banking houses, partnerships, bills of exchange, etc.
o
Banking houses – HOLD CAPITAL AS MONEY DOMINATES TRADE EXCHANGES. PROVIDE LOANS TO ENTREPRENEURS & ENTERPRISE (BUSINESS) ..,
PLACE TO KEEP MONEY SAFE & PLACE TO GET MONEY NEEDED TO GROW
o
Partnerships – BUSINESS WHERE RESOURCES/SKILLS ARE POOLED. IT LESSENS THE RISKS. CONFLICT IS LIKELY
o
Bill of exchange – RECORD OF THE TRANSACTION. RECEIPT. PROVIDES ACCOUNTABILITY. PROTECTS THE BUYER & THE SELLER.
An increase of trade and the growth of towns created the need for a banking system.
o
Describe the reason & the impact on the developing economy – GIVES OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS CAPITAL NOT ON HAND. ONE OF THE FOUR
FACTORS OF PRODUCTION (RESOURCES, LABOR, CAPITAL, MANAGEMENT). TAKES $$$ TO MAKE $$$. THIS WORKS AS LONG AS THE BANK GETS
PAID BACK.
PEOPLE AND POWER






Name some key figures of the Middle Ages and identify their relevance to the era’s themes of conflict & innovation.
o
CLOVIS – GERMANIC KING. CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY (LEGENDARY TALE). KINGDOM FOLLOWED (CONSISTENT OF THE TIMES & INFLUENTIAL
MOVING FORWARD)
o
CHARLEMAGNE – KING OF FRANKS BY 771 (FATEHR WAS CHARLES MARTEL). EXPANDED POWER. SERVED PEOPLE WITH BENEFITS IN REIGN.
SPREAD CHRISTIANITY, EDUCATION, SERVICES. NAMED ROMAN EMPEROR BY POPE BY 800. SUCCESSORS WERE NOT CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING HIS
ACHIEVEMENTS
o
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR – DISPUTE OF KING OF ENGLAND – NO HEIR … WILLIAM INVADED FROM NORMANDY (RECOGNIZE VIKING ROOTS HERE).
DEFEATED HAROLD AT HASTINGS IN 1066. BROUGHT CULTURE (LANGUAGE) AND FRIENDS (GRANTED FIEFS TO THOSE THAT HELPED HIM).
o
THOMAS AQUINAS – INNOVATOR TO COMBINE RELIGION AND REASON IN EUROPE. DEVELOPED SCHOLASTICISM – REASONING THE DOCTRINES OF
THE CHURCH. FIRST PHILOSOPHER OF EUROPE?
o
JOAN OF ARC- AS HUNDRED YEARS WAR CONTINUED, THIS PEASANT GIRL BECAME VISIONARY LEADER FOR FRANCE (HAD NOTHING TO LOSE). SHE
WAS CAPTURED & MARTYRED. FRANCE LATER WON & ITS MONARCHY STRENGTHENED … ENGLAND LOST & ITS MONARCY WEAKENED (SEEDS OF
DEMOCRACY SOWN)
HRE’s failure to build a unified Germany.
o
HRE with Charlemagne – EXTENDED FRANKISH RULE. UNIFIED CENTRAL EUROPE THRU CHRISTIANITY. POPE LEO III CROWNED HIM ROMAN
EMPEROR > MERGING CHRISTIAN, GERMAN, ROMAN CULTURES … AS HE DIED HIS SUCCESSORS NOT AS CAPABLE
o
HRE later – OTTO I CONQUERED & UNIFIED GERMANY AND ITALY BY 962. NAMED EMPEROR BY POPE. LOTS OF CONFLICT. FREDERICK I FIRST TO
CALL “REGION” THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE IN 1152. MORE OF A PATCHWORK OF FEUDAL TERRITORIES WITH DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES THAN AN
EMPIRE
The causes and outcomes of the Crusades.
o
Causes – SELJUK TURKS THREATENING THE BYZANTINES BY 1000’S – BYZANTINE EMPEROR ASKS POPE (URBAN II) FOR HELP [less than 50 years since
the schism in 1054 b/t Roman Catholics & Eastern Orthodox]. URBAN II SEEKS TO UNIFY EUROPEAN CHRISTIANS WITH THE CAUSE. EVERYONE HAD
MOTIVES.
o
Short term effects – STARTED AS A PROMOTED PILGRIMAGE TO MAKE HOLY LAND SAFE FOR CHRISTIANS TURNED INTO MULTIPLE RAIDING
MISSIONS … BY TIME CHRISTIANS REACH THE HOLY LAND THE SELJUKS ALREADY REPLACED WITH MUSLIMS THAT WELCOMED RELIGIOUS PILGRIMS
(AND THE COMMERCE) … BUT “IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT ABOUT IT” MENTALITY BY BOTH SIDES CREATED THE SCENE … LIMITED SUCCESS BY
EUROPEANS INITIALLY (ESTABLISHED CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE REGION)
o
Long term effects – CREATED THE “GOOD GUY VS. BAD GUY” THEME IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES, RELIGIONS,
CULTURES
Struggle by monarchs to exert royal authority over nobles and churchmen.
o
Conflict: lay investiture – 1075 – HENRY IV (GERMAN) VS. POPE GREGORY VIII. ISSUE WAS OVER POWER TO NAME CHURCH OFFICIALS. CONFLICT OF
CHURCH POWER VS. FEUDLAL POWER/LOYALTY TO KING. ULTIMATUMS ISSUED – EXCOMMUNICATION – LONG STANDING CONFLICT. RESOLVED BY
THE CONCORDAT OF WORMS (1122) = OFFICIAL NAMED BY CHURCH & EMPOWERED BY KING (btw – Hank & Greg long dead by this time)
o
Conflict: location of pope – 1305 – AFTER A CONFLICT WITH POPE BONIFACE III OVER TAXING AUTHORITY, FRENCH KING PHILIP IV GOT FRENCH
CARDINALS TO SELECT A FRENCH POPE (why would a king want to tax the church?). THE NEW POPE WAS MOVED TO AVIGNON (in France). CHURCH
WEAKENED. THEN AN ITALIAN CHOSEN AS POPE IN 1378 – 2 POPES – THEN 3 POPES … THIS IS THE GREAT SCHISM … ALL SETTLED BY 1414 WITH ONE
POPE AGAIN … DAMAGE DONE – CHURCH POWER MUCH WEAKER
Conflict with the church led to changes in political design of European nations.
o
Example 1 – POWER OF KINGS GROWS WITH LAY INVESTITURE … POLITICAL POWER BECOMES MORE SECULAR
o
Example 2 – FRED I (HRE) ATTACKS ITALY & ANGERS THE POPE. THIS UNDERMINDS THE HRE’S AUTHORITY AS SEVERAL GERMAN PRINCES SIDED
WITH CHURCH AND GERMANY FAILS TO UNIT (a common historical theme for next several hundred years)
Role of religion was used to unify and centrally govern expanding territories and diverse populations.
o
Example 1 – PHILIP IV CREATES THE ESTATES-GENERAL IN 1300’S … CHURCH IS FIRST ESTATE – NOBLES SECOND ESTATE – COMMONERS THIRD
ESTATE … ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE PEOPLE FOR PROBLEM RESOLUTIONS – NOT VERY EMPOWERED BUT ENGLISH KING HAD BEEN FORCED TO
RELINQUISH POWERS WITH MAGNA CARTA & FRENCH MONARCH WANTED TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE SITUATION (spoiler alert: this body was
ineffective & rarely used – had been dormant for over 150 years when called to order in 1789, which would prompt the spark to ignite the French
Revolution … which would remove the king)
2
o


Example 2 – ROLE OF THE CHURCH TO UNIT PEOPLE THROUGH CHRISTIANITY – DONE TO AN EXTENT BUT NEVER ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER THE
DIVERSE PEOPLES OF THE REGION INTO A SINGLE POLITICAL UNIT (like Islam did in the Middle East). HOWEVER, THIS COMES WITH A PRICE – NO
ROOM FOR DIFFERENCES IN INTERPRETATIONS OF THE FAITH OR ITS DOCTRINES – HERETICS WERE SOUGHT OUT & REMOVED BY THE INQUISTION –
MUCH OF THIS WAS ARBITRARY AND TORTUOUS (conformity can be messy)
Struggles for limiting power of kings leads to political changes in gov’t (e.g., Magna Carta).
o
Kings with too much power – ABSOLUTE MONARCHS DOMINATED EUROPE … WHEN THOSE RULERS ARE BAD, NO REAL BUREAUCRACY TO MAKE UP
THE DIFFERENCE AND MEET PEOPLE’S NEEDS – INEFFECTIVE SYSTEM
o
Struggle for nobles – NOBLES/LANDOWNERS QUEST FOR POWER IS SUPPORTED BY THE CHURCH. ATTEMPT BY NOBLES WAS TO KNOCK THE KING
DOWN A NOTCH – CHURCH TRYING TO PICK THE WINNER (probably had no chance of change if king left unchecked)
o
Magna Carta – 1215 – ENGLAND – KING JOHN FORCED TO SIGN MC. INITIALLY CREATED ENVIRONMENT WHERE NOBLES PROTECTED FROM BAD
WAR, TAXES & HAD LEGAL RIGHTS. PROVISIONS TO PROTECT COMMERCE ADDED LATER
o
Impacts of MC – OPENS DOOR FOR LIMITED GOVERNMENT. POWER TO NOBLES & CHURCH PROMPTS KING TO CONSULT … THIS EVOLVES FROM A
GROUP TO ADVISE IN 1300’S TO A TWO HOUSE BODY MAKING RULES (PARLIAMENT WAS A CHANGING GROUPS OVER TIME). ALL PART OF THE
STEPPING STONES TO DEMOCRACY & THE BRITISH STORY TO A LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
The rise of nation-states in Europe.
o
Nation-state – GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH A COMMON IDENTITY AND SET GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY WITH A GOVERNMENT
o
Reasons for creation - WITH CHALLENGES TO THE CHURCH FOR POWER THE NATION-STATE BECOMES A MOVE TO SEPARATE. ALSO NATIONALISM
FROM THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR & ENGLISH WAR OF ROSES INCREASED PARLIAMENT’S POWER
o
Examples – BOTH ENGLAND & FRANCE REACH N-S STATUS, BUT WITH DIFFERENT ROUTES … GERMANY & ITALY WOULD WAIT UNTIL THE 1800’S
WITH SEVERAL MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH







The blending of culture in Europe between Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christian traditions. (example & impact)
o
Example 1 – CLOVIS CONVERST TO CHRISTIANITY – SO DO HIS SUBJECTS (COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THEIR LEADER) – MIXING OF GERMANIC
&CHRISTIAN CULTURES - BLENDING
o
Example 2 – CHARLEMAGNE SPREADS CHRISTIANITY WITH THE SWORD – IMPACT IS MORE CHRISTIANS IN EUROPE – LEGACY
o
Example 3 – HRE OF THE 12TH CENTURY TOOK ON POWER STRUGGLES BETWEEN GERMANS, ITALIANS, & CHRISTIAN LEADERS … LOTS OF DRAMA
Christianity’s unifying force culturally, politically, and militarily.
o
Example 1 – PEOPLE WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN – ESCAPE THE HARSH REALITIES OF MEDIEVAL LIFE … EVERYBODY WAS BUYING INTO THE SAME
RELIGIOUS MESSAGE
o
Example 2 – POLITICAL LEADERS SAW SUPPORT FROM CHURCH AS AUTHENTIC & AUTHORATATIVE … ABLE TO USE IT TO MAINTAIN POWER
o
Example 3 – AS FORCES WENT INTO BATTLE THE QUESTIONS WERE OFTEN POSED, “WHO DOES GOD FAVOR?” or “WHO’S GOD IS BIGGER?”
Position of the popes in absolute power.
o
Reasons for growth – CHURCH SOUGHT TO INFLUENCE SPIRITUAL & POLITICAL MATTERS WITH THE CROWNING OF CHARLEMAGNE AS EMPEROR …
EXPANDED ITS POWER … ENDED UP BEING A FORCE IN BOTH AREAS (GOOD & BAD TO THAT)
o
Positive impacts of growth in power – THIS CAN EXPAND THE INFLUENCE OF THE FAITH & BRING THE CHARITY /GOALS OF THE CHURCH INTO POLICY
OF COMMUNITY LEADERS
o
Negative impacts of growth in power – POWER CORRUPTS (AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY) … MANY POPES FAILED TO SEE
BOUNDARIES OF THEIR POSITION. THE CHURCH IN ROME RECOGNIZED NO POLITICAL SUPERIOR & AS IT EXPANDED ITS MOTIVES & GOALS INTO
SECULAR MATTERS THE LINES OF AUTHORITY BLURRED
Role of religion to unify and govern.
o
Example 1 – FEUDALISM & MANORIALISM DIVIDED PEOPLE, BUT THE FAITH OF CHRISITIANITY BROUGHT STABILITY TO EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES –
IT BECAME THE CONSTANT. EVERYONE TOOK THE SAME SACRAMENTS & WORSHIPPED THE SAME GOD
o
Example 2 – CANON LAW OF THE CHURCH APPLIED TO ALL, NO MATTER POSITION IN THE SOCIETY
o
Example 3 – KINGS WOULD FIGHT FOR POPES IN ORDER TO FIND FAVOR FROM THE CHURCH & ITS INFLUENCE (OTTO I)
Powers of the church at its height.
o
Example 1 – THE ABILITY TO DENY SALVATION THRU EXCOMMUNICATION
o
Example 2 – ABILITY TO DENY SACRAMENTS (RITUALS & CEREMONIES) WITH INTERDICT … PPL NEEDED THESE TO FUNCTION
o
Example 3 – INQUISITION – ATTEMPT TO FIND HERETICS (THOSE GOING AGAINST THE TEACHINGS & DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH). PURPOSE WAS
TO DRIVE THEM OUT – CREATE FEAR - CONFESS OR DIE SLOWLY
Challenges brought with different religious ideals in Europe.
o
CREATATION OF ORDERS TO EMPHASIZE SOLUTIONS TO “PROBLEMS” (BATTLES VS. HERETICS, SPREAD THE GOSPEL, HELP THE POOR, ETC.).
FRANCISCANS & DOMINICANS WERE MOST PROMINENT. BUILT CATHEDRALS TO HONOR GOD WITH LAVISH BUILDINGS (ROMANESQUE TO GOTHIC).
REFORMS BY LEO IX & GREGORY VII: NO MARRIED PRIESTS – COMMITMENT – CHURCH LIKE A KINGDOM (EXCLUSIVE TO BE A LEADER WITHIN)
Religious authority between popes and rulers.
o
LAY INVESTITURE ISSUES (NAMING OF BISHOPS) SHOWED DISPUTE & RESOLUTION BETWEEN HOLDERS OF POWER (TOOK TIME)
o
TAXING THE CLERGY WAS A MAJOR CONFLICT – CHURCH FELT EXEMPT / KINGS SAW THE WEALTH – ISSUE B/T PHILIP IV & BONIFACE VIII LED TO THE
GREAT SCHISM
o
CONFLICT BETWEEN HENRY II (ENGLAND) & THOMAS `a BECKET – LONGTIME FRIENDS QUARRELED WHEN THE ARCHBISHOP TOOK THE SIDE OF THE
CHURCH IN A DISPUTE WITH THE KING – KNIGHTS SENT TO INTIMIDATE BECKET MURDERED HIM … HENRY REMORSEFUL
o
ALL ABOUT THE POWER … WHO WON? WHO BENEFITTED?
BEYOND EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Political significance of Europe being cut off from advances of other civilizations.
o
DEMOCRACY HAD BECOME AN UNKNOWN SYSTEM – LOST IN TIME … INFO OF CLASSICAL & ACADEMIC LEARNING HAD BECOME VOID IN EUROPE
(ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL – NO OUTSIDE TRADE LIMITED ACCESS TO THOSE HOLDING THIS INFO)
o
EUROPE LAGGED SCIENTIFICALLY & MEDICALLY – TRUTH WAS BASED ON CHURCH INTERPRETATION AND LEGEND – MONARCHS INITIALLY
UNCHALLENGED POLITICALLY
3



Role of religion in the expansion of empires.
o
RECOGNIZE THAT CHARLEMAGNE & MOHAMMAD BOTH BUILT EMPIRES WITH RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS … CHARLEMAGNE’S IN EUROPE DIDN’T
ENDURE
o
MONGOLS BUILT EMPIRE WITH TOLERANCE OF FAITH – EVENTUALLY ADOPTED ISLAM … TOLERANCE WAS NOT THE REASON THE MONGOLS REIGN
WAS SHORT LIVED
The use of slash and burn agriculture causes growth of deserts in Africa.
o
PREPPING THE ENVIRONMENT TO FARM BY CLEAR CUTTING - SOIL BECOMES DEPLETED & UNRECOVERABLE – NO CYLCE TO REPLENTISH THUS SOIL
BECOMES UNABLE TO HOLD PLANTS & ROOTS … CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANSION OF DESERT
Farmable lands is increased with innovative techniques: step terraces by the Incas and chinampas by the Aztecs (other groups that were prospering during this
age).
o
Step terraces in S. America – ON THE MOUNTAINOUS SLOPES OF THE ANDES A NEED FOR FLAT LAND TO FARM – CUT SLOPE OUT OF THE SIDE OF A
MOUNTAIN
o
Chinampas in Mexico – SMALL RECTANGULAR PLOT OF FERTILE LAND FLOATED ON A SHALLOW LAKE – USED BY AZTECS (WHO ALSO BUILT A CITY ON
A LAKE)
o
MANIPULATION OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY HAS BENEFIT TO HUMANS WITH INNOVATION & TECHNIQUE TO OVERCOME – CONSEQUENCES CAN BE
UNFORESEEN & NOT REALIZED UNTIL MUCH LATER.
4