Unit 1 Topic 6: Developments in Europe (1200-1450)- Heimler video notes
o The western half of the Roman empire fell in 476 but the empire continues in the east for
another 1000 years by the name of the Byzantine Empire.
o In between 476 and 1000 Europe, culturally and politically, was basically fractured into small
tribal kingdoms who were constantly at battle for dominance.
- Feudalism
o Is a system of mutual obligations that exists between classes.
On top there was the king who granted land to the next level down, the lords, in
exchange for their services and tribute
The Lords contracted the folks in the next level down, Knights, to protect their
land and in some cases go to war.
At the bottom were all the peasants. They work the land of the lords in
exchange for providing the lords with the produce of the land
The peasants were called serfs, their lives were tied to the land. Since they were
under the authority of the lord they has to have the lord’s permission to marry
and to travel
- These years were known as the Dark Ages because Europe trade declines, people’s standard of
living declines.
- The High Ages
o From about 1000-1450 the sun started to rise again
o One major change occurring during this period was the rise of monarchs.
Kings were able to consolidate more land and power during this time and
political power shifted from feudal lords.
And the way kings consolidated power successfully is two-fold
- Two-fold
o First, they established large bureaucracies who carried out their will.
o Second, they conscripted massive standing armies
- Magna Carta
o By the 13th century power began shifting back towards the noble class yet again
o This transfer of power was facilitated by signing the magna carta in 1215.
o Leb by the noble class, the Magna Carta officially guaranteed rights to the nobles like
the right to a jury trial and the right if all free citizens to own and inherit property.
- Roman Catholic Church
o During this time the Catholic church established the first universities in Europe.
o Therefore, most philosophers and thinkers and educators were religious men in those
days.
- Now with the rise of these stronger monarchs, there came something of a power struggle
between the church and the state
- While small regional kingdoms were the norm, the catholic church was pretty settled in its
position of providing cultural and ideological unity across Europe
- Crusades
o One of the more powerful kingdoms started to threaten that cultural hold.
o Starting in the 12th century the pope and bishops urged Christians to take up their
swords and reclaim Jerusalem from the infidel Muslims.
- Marco Polo
o In the 13th century an Italian named Marco polo left his home to explore and found
himself all the way in China at the court of Kublai Khan.
o Polo wrote an account of his travels and it sold like crazy in Europe.
It then opened Europeans’ imagination to the exotic culture and wealth of the
far East.
This led to innovations in mapmaking and cartography so it would be easier to
get back there.
- Bourgeoisie
o A new economic class that resembles the middle class.
o These were people who were not as rich as the nobles and not as poor as the peasants
They included shopkeepers, merchants, and small landowners.
- Ice Age
o For a few years the temperature steadily fell which led to a sharp decrease in
agricultural productivity.
o Decreased agricultural population led to a declining population, a declining population
led to less trade, and less trade led to sinking economic conditions
- Renaissance
o After 1300 Europeans experienced the bright optimism of the renaissance
o This word means “rebirth”
o What was being “reborn”? The ancient Greek and Roman culture, art, and literature
o During this time many of our world’s most magnificent pieces of art were created like:
Dante’s Divine Comedy
Chaucer’s Canterbury tales
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
