Stages of Development of Western Europe During Middle Ages

Chapter 10 (1 of 4)

What were the Middle Ages?

Middle Ages = Term for western Europe during the Postclassical Era (A.P. World History’s 3 rd time period) Middle Ages began with the fall of Rome (476) and ended in the 1400s The Middle Ages are also called the Dark Ages If you see the term “the West” = western Europe (later includes America)

The Early Middle Ages (450-900)

First part of Middle Ages = western Europe had many problems and considered backwards Italy was struggling after the fall of Rome and Spain was ruled by Muslims Eventually, western Europe would recover and advance rapidly, but that wasn’t until the later part of the Middle Ages (after 900 C.E.)

Early Middle Ages = Western Europe Weak Western Europe often invaded, making it hard to advance Vikings = Scandinavian raiders, invaded Europe between 700s and 1000s

Literacy Low In Early Middle Ages

Manor System

Manorialism = economic and political system b/t landlords and their peasants Manor System (Feudalism) increased due to a lack of trade during early part of the Middle Ages

Manor System

A Serf’s Life

Serfs = most peasants, who were farmers, lived on self sufficient estates called manors, got protection from lord (noble) in return for part of their good

Serf life was difficult: agricultural technology low and production low (had to spend many days repairing caste or working on lord’s land) Though limited, some new technology did help Moldboard Plow = new plow that could get through heavy soil Three-Field System = crop rotation leaving less land unused Not slaves (couldn’t be bought and sold) owned land as long as obligations met

The Church

After the fall of Rome, the church was the only strong form of organization (governments weak) Pope sponsored missions (converted England, Germany, parts of eastern Europe) to Christianity

Pope Bishops Priests

Clovis

German warrior who converted to Christianity in 496 and got control over the Franks (German tribe living where France is today)

The Role of Monasteries Many monasteries built during the Middle Ages, and they played a big role in medieval society Monasteries showed the spiritual focus of medieval society and promoted education and literacy

Charles “The Hammer” Martel

Ruler of the Franks (he was from the Carolingian family) Defeated Muslims at Battle of Tours (732) stopping Muslim advance into western Europe

Charlemagne

Later Carolingian ruler who established empire in France and Germany around 800, called Holy Roman Empire Looked like glory of Rome would be revived, but never occurred

Charlemagne

After Charlemagne’s death in 814, empire split into 3 sections (France, Germany, Low Countries) so each of his sons could have one Western Europe became series of regional monarchies with weak kings (aristocracy powerful) Most powerful of these regional monarchies in Germany and northern Italy

Europe Divided

Culturally western Europe was united through Catholicism, but politically it was very divided No single language in western Europe (Latin was language of church, but spoken language was French, English, etc)

Things Turn Around Year 900

Agricultural Innovations such as the moldboard plow, three field system, horse collar, and stirrups Viking raids began stopping in the 900s This led to population growth, which led to economic innovation and the growth of cities and towns

Economic Growth

More people meant more markets, trade grew Feudal system weakened as towns grew (demand for peasant labor increased and landlords needed to entice them by giving them more freedom (now charged rent) Harsh serfdom still existed, but serfs gaining more freedom A commercial, market-based economy began to exist in western Europe

Growth of Towns and Cities

Towns and cities grew rapidly especially in Italy Literacy spread in urban centers, as did use of vernacular (spoken) languages, like French and English Merchant activity and craft production grew Asia still had more in cities than western Europe, but they were growing in western Europe

Universities Grow

Church based schools formed in 800s By 1000s, first universities created – they trained middle class in the cities in theology, medicine, and law By 1100s, modern universities emerge throughout western Europe (such as Oxford and Cambridge in England)

Getting Back to the Feudal System

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Began by 500s

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Originally very local (lords had 5-10 vassals) but could span over large areas or kingdoms (such as Charlemagne’s Holy Roman Empire)

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Feudalism hurt development of strong monarchies (feudal lords had power) but it reduced local warfare

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Kings used feudalism to build power (France started as feudal lords near Paris who gradually expanded and built monarchy)

William the Conqueror

Set up a central monarchy with a bureaucracy to help rule Led the Norman (from Normandy, France) invasion of England in 1066, extending feudal system to England

Feudal Monarchies

Growth of feudal monarchies similar to China – both extensive bureaucracies To extend power, feudal monarchies hired professional armies, and hired businessmen to run bureaucracies

Limited Government

Strong monarchies didn’t develop across Europe, as regional states and feudal lords still had much power Ex: Magna Carta and King John (1215) – forced to give up power (couldn’t add new taxes w/out parliament’s ok Parliament = legislative body representing 3 privileged estates (church, nobles, urban leaders) not commoners

Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)

War fought between France and England Led to decline of feudal system (monarchs) saw that feudal militaries (which did most of fighting) weren’t too effective, and a paid was army better Since noble’s military power no longer needed, feudal system began fading away

Western Europeans Crave Expansion

As the economy of western Europe began to grow, a period of expansionism occurred Reasons for expansion: 1. Population was growing 2. Desire to spread Christianity Germans expanded east, Christians eventually drove Muslims out of Spain, Vikings got to what is today Canada

The Crusades

The Crusades were the biggest expansionist movement Urban II – Pope who ordered 1 st Crusade Lasting impact of Crusades was West being exposed to Middle Eastern culture

Church officials often caught up in politics, hurting church

Religious Reform

Reform movements began to remove this secularism from the church and rid church of interference of feudal lords Began Western idea of separation of church and state Investiture – practice of government appointing bishops, Gregory VII fought Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV on this issue and won Gregory VII – Pope (1073-1085) reformed church

Height of Medieval Civilization

Merchant activity was growing and the feudal system was slowly dying out Medieval Western civilization reached its peak in the 1100s and the 1200s