European Middle Ages

Divided Empire around300 C.E.

Byzantine Empire

Emperor Justinian = Last hope for Roman Empire

C

European Middle AgesI. Clear Trends

A. 500-1000 = political decentralization and backwardness

B. Emerged from ruins of Roman EmpireC. Similar to Japan and Africa in political development

1. Fragmented, kingdom-based rule

European Middle AgesD. Decline of Urban Areas – Why?

1. Impact of Vikings, Magyar & Muslim invasionsa. Disrupted developmentb. Protection was valuedc. Gave rise to feudalism and the Manorial system

The Vikings“Terror from the North”

Viking Expansion

European Middle AgesD. Decline of Urban Areas – Why?

2. Disease/plagues – people avoided population centers

European Middle AgesD. Decline of Urban Areas – Why?

3. Decline of ag. prod.a. Over cultivationb. Lack of organized labor forcec. Little Ice Age!

- Reduced temps. - Disrupted/dramatic weather

patterns

European Middle AgesII. Byzantine Empire – 476 - 1453

A. Remaining Roman EmpireB. Combined trad. sources of power & legitimacy

w/innovation1. Traditional = patriarchy, religion, land-

owning elites2. Innovations

a. New methods of taxationb. tributary systemsc. Adaptation of religious institutiond. Codified legal system– Justinian’s Code

European Middle AgesIII. Labor in the Middle Ages

A. Feudal system emerges – 2 main labor sources1. Coerced labor – bound in servitude as property

a. Serfs and slaves2. Free peasants = paid rent or labor services

to lordB. Rise of Craftsman Guilds

1. Guild – association of artisans or merchants who control the practice of their craft in a particular town.

2. Masons, carpenters, carvers etc.

The rise of worker’s guilds

The Lollipop Guild

Viking reading organizer headings:•Reasons•Methods• Characteristics• Long-Term Impacts

Critical Intro.•Write a comprehensive, analytical

thesis describing the impact of the horse harness.

Critical Intro.•What was the most significant

impact of the Crusades? Explain.

IV. European Revival – 800-1300 – Why?1. End of invasions

a. Need for feudal protection decreases

2. Increased temps.a. Increased farm productionb. Increased pop. = urban growthc. Revival of Cities!

3. Increased commerce/tradea. Trade increases

- Hanseatic League- Baltic to Black Sea trade- Med. Sea trade- Trans-European trade

b. Negative = Black Death spread along trade routes

Hanseatic League

Hanseatic League

V. Medieval ChurchA. Most stable institution of Middle Ages

1. Main source of intellectual activity2. Gave rise to universities3. Synthesis of “faith and reason”

Why a new emphasis on “faith and reason”?

B. Catholic Church – Limited centralized power1. Weakened power of feudal kings2. Means of authority =

a. Canon Law – rules of behavior set by churchb. Excommunication – separated from churchc. Interdict – Excomm. all in a ruler’s realm

VI. Steps to Centralized GovernmentA.Rise of Limited Gov’t (limits on power of king)

based on = 1. Magna Carta (1215) – Eng. doc. signed by

King John guaranteeing rights of nobility2. Parliaments (Eng. 1295)– gave nobility &

clergy a voice3. Hundred Years War (1337-1453) – Solidified

nationhood of Eng. & Fr.

VII. Impact of Crusades (1095-1291)A.Technological & Cultural Exchange

1. From Muslim world to Europea. Monetization methodsb. Scientific, numeric concepts

B.Long-Term Impacts = Contact between civs.1. Made Europeans aware of goods, riches &

markets2. Increased demand, consumption, & production3. Religious tension between:

a. Christians and Muslimsb. Christians and Jews

C. Two Italian Cities Emerge as Economic Leaders1. Venice & Genoa – benefitted from transporting

knights & trade goods2. Become economic powerhouses!

a. Lead banking and Renaissance movementb. European towns grew in responsec. Use of money spread

E. By 1300s; art & culture taking shape in Italy as Renaissance