Western Trade and Economy - Shadae M.

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1/26/11

Post Classical, Western Europe was not nearly as commercially or culturally developed as the rest of the world at this given time. However, Europe had it own characteristics and made due with similarities to other civilizations. A growth in population and the economy was on up rise, new technologies were being invented and political complexity were all evidence that Europe was developing into a well standing society. 

Trade in Europe during this time was a combination of land and sea trading routes. Those who lived in Northern Europe used rivers and the sea to make their trade routes whereas Southern Europe used mostly land [with an exception of the Mediterranean] the Romans, had used a large range of transport goods. However, when Rome it left Italy in a horrible position. They were declining economically, intellectually, and politically. Like the fall of Rome, land trade also began to fall. Trade routes opened in several different locations such as the Mediterranean, North Sea, and the Black Sea. Due to the effects of trade becoming widely spread, urban centers began to develop in the 10th century. Trade brought wealth to the economy and many things were beginning to emerge. 

During this time, new farming technologies were becoming well known and greatly improved production. The moldboard plows appeared in the late 8th century and were used to turn large amounts of soil. The amount of Viking incursions allowed room for encouraged economic innovation and population growth. With a larger population towns and cities began to expand to make room to accommodate a larger amount of residents. Since the towns were expanding it was a great time to set in regional trading centers to allow the range of trade to grow. Urban expansion gave way into a new generation of literacy, pop culture, and rebirth religious centers. In the 11th century, several different cathedral style schools were transformed into universities where students could study in law and medical professions. After awhile, Philosophy and Theology also became popular in university majors.

Times really changed in the Post Classical Western Europe. Though the Catholic Church held a strong grasp on  culture, the society held several common features to economic activities and social standing. During this time frame the Western side of Europe showed a great movement in several different innovations. It even became more of a commercial area for those who wished to sell and trade with one regional area to another one. This is what allowed trade to reboot in the 10th century.

Image source: http://www.myhistorylab.com/


The Split between East and West Christianity - Sara A.

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1/26/11
         
       During The Middle Ages, Europe wasn’t doing very well economically, politically, or even socially. With the shock of the fall of the Roman Empire and the Black Plague starting to wreak havoc, Europe was beginning its steady decline at the start of The Dark Ages. The people of this time period began to look at religion as their escape from all of the chaos of the world, with Christianity taking hold as the majority religion. However, at the same time, Europe was facing great difficulty with the increasing dispute among the Eastern and Western forms of Christianity. The separation between Eastern and Western Christianity was a low point in history and caused destruction in the aspects of Europe before, during, and after the split.

                Before the separation, there was a heated battle going on between the kings of Europe and the popes controlling them. During the golden ages of the Roman Empire, the Pope was top authority; kings, military leaders, emperors, and everyone basically answered to him. Then by the time of Rome’s collapse, the European kings claimed to get their crown from God, and didn’t want anyone, especially the pope, to get into their rightful way of ruling. But instead, the pope restricted the kings’ power, censoring a lot of connections and orders he would send out. Of course, the kings didn’t like other people telling them what to do, so they had to do something about it. Knowing that the problems the Pope was causing wouldn’t go away just by killing him, some kings decided that they had to bring down the church somehow.

                During the split, the Christian churches all across Europe were claiming that state should have no control over the church. Popes believed that the church and its affairs were much more important than the state’s. They wanted the state to not be allowed to interfere with matters of the church and also wanted separation. One of the biggest arguments, however, was with the belief of whether or not popes were allowed to marry. The people who wanted to get away from the Catholic Church and Pope were the Protestants. When the church got tired of the Protestants, they were sent away to America, where they were far away and almost totally free of the matters of the Roman Catholic Church.

                After many, many years of conflict, there was finally a separation between church and state. The effect of all this arguing and fighting was taking its toll after the separation of the Eastern and Western forms of Christianity. Because of all of the division in beliefs, the west was becoming politically divided as well as diverse in the sides powerful leaders took during the split. The western portion of Europe believed in the top authority of the Pope and looked up to him. The east became what is known as Orthodox Christianity, where its followers do not answer to the Pope, as there is no reference to the need of one in the Holy Bible. This split of Europe caused a major excommunication between the eastern and western halves, where either side refuse to speak to each other and work their disagreements out.

                The effect of the many years of arguing that took place before, during, and after the split between Eastern and Western forms of Christianity caused major changes to Europe during the Middle Ages. Catholics believed that the Pope should not marry, while the other side disagreed. The split between Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity can be compared to that of the Sunni and Shiite’s. The two separations both caused major disturbances in the lives of their peoples and in turn created deep hatred for each one of their conflicting opponents. Even though both Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism are almost the same religion with some different practices, there has been a running conflict between them that’s lasted for hundreds of years.

Image source: http://www.myhistorylab.com/

The Crusades - David A.

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1/25/11 

The crusades of Western Europe were a series of attacks on Muslim territories in an attempt to capture the Christian Holy Lands that served as a way to unify the constantly competing nation-states; although it only accomplished this for a short period the results were a sudden increase in awareness of the world and a desire to learn the knowledge necessary to get a better competitive edge in the world. When Pope Urbain II called for the first Crusade in 1095 the supposed rewards, from riches to forgiveness in sins, were so great that many knights joined the campaign to capture Jerusalem. Other cities began to draw the attention of the crusaders, however, as was the case of Constantinople. Later invasions were increasingly unsuccessful yet, despite this, the transfer of Arabic knowledge of mathematics and science proved to be the greatest reward of all.

Western Europe had, during this time, finally started to take slow steps towards peace, or at the very least tolerance, with other Europeans. Wars were becoming less frequent and the militaristic nation-states needed to find outlets for their armies. The Crusades not only provided this outlet but also a chance to prove themselves amongst other Western nations in keeping with their constant rivalry. This unification didn't apply to all Christian nations, however. The Byzantine Empire, though a society heavily influenced by Christianity, had their capital, Constantinople, sacked by Crusaders during one of the final crusades. Even before its sacking hostile behavior rose between Crusaders and the Byzantines with their armies gathering at the famed capital before moving on.

There were 8 Crusades in total with only the first one being a true success, resulting in the capture of Jerusalem for nearly a century. Unfortunately, it was a shallow victory as the Muslims needed only a single great general, Saladin, to bolster their forces and recapture Jerusalem. Once that was done, all future Crusades were absolute failures in conquering Eastern lands or providing a threat to the Muslim world. Future Crusades in fact became farces that were meant only to further the political agendas of other parties. The fourth crusade was manipulated into attacking sacking Constantinople by Italian merchants seeking to rid themselves of an economic rival.

The Crusades had one overwhelmingly useful quality to it; it exposed Western Europe to the world at large and allowed it to glean great scientific, medical and mathematical knowledge from the Arabic Muslims they attacked and hated so ferociously. Richard the Lionheart, a famed English king, even saw the usefulness of outside knowledge through his preference of Muslim physicians over Christian ones. Religious orders such as the Knights Templar brought back knowledge and connections that allowed Western Europe to finally catch up technologically with the rest of the world. The failure to do any lasting damage to Muslim lands only furthered reasons for the Muslims to ignore Western Europeans allowing them to explore this newly taken knowledge in safety and obscurity. Eventually, the competitive spirit of the West, the reemergence of knowledge and its ability to rise owes much to the Crusades.

Though the Crusades were meant as a highly religious conquest of the Holy Land it became a way for Western Europeans to realize the importance of other cultures and take valuable knowledge from them. It is through this that Western Europe was able to rise as successfully as it did and take the faltering superpowers of the world by surprise in later eras. It served as a sort of final blow to the Byzantines as their famed capital was sacked by even their allies and became a red herring to the Middle East as Muslim nations saw the failed attacks as reasons to ignore the Western world.

Image source: http://historyportal.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html



Black Death - Amanda A.

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1/24/11

Thought to be spread by the Mongols, the Bubonic Plague, or, as it is also known, the Black Death caused an enormous loss of life all over Eurasia. An outbreak occurred in China in the early 1330s. It was spread through trade routes from China to central Asia and the Middle East. In 1348, it reached Europe from Italian merchants. The Black Death in Western Europe caused destruction as well as progress, and greatly affected the history of the world and other areas.

The series Black Death plagues caused great destruction and devastation in Europe. The plague killed as much as one-third to one-half of Europe’s population. The devastation affected all levels of society. It left severe emotional scars on the survivors. The enormous amount of people that died because of the plague led to labor shortages. Peasant revolts broke out all over Europe. People lived in fear of the plague returning.

As well as tremendous destruction, progress also came with the Black Death. More land was available for the survivors. Urban populations recovered better from the plague than rural populations did. This caused more people to move into cities. The economy after the Black Plague was helped by progress in manufacturing and mining technologies. The Black Death helped bring Europe out of the middle ages.

The Black Death had a large impact on other areas besides Europe, and on the history of the world as a whole. Civilizations outside of Europe saw about the same population losses. The Black Death helped lead to the rise of the West. The plague took a toll on the Church because prayers for an end to the plague had been unanswered. This led to a new period of political turmoil and philosophical questioning, which would help lead to the West’s exploration and colonizing of the world.

The Black Death was possibly the most fatal epidemic in history. It caused destruction and progress and had a profound impact on the history of the world. It forced economic and social readjustments through much of the world. It would influence the development of the areas it affected for many centures.

Image source: http://otis.coe.uky.edu/ccsso/cssapmodules/pandemics/activity1_form_assess.html

Western Culture and Religion - Emillio M.

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1/24/11

  Western Europe had developed many different cultural and religious aspects over the centuries. They were either developed by individual discovery or cultural diffusion. These advancements in culture included technological, intellectual, and agricultural aspects. It also influenced the way their social status was organized.

After raids from Asia, Western Europe gained innovations for their Agricultural aspects. They were able to invent a new Moldboard plow and the three-field system enabled them to improve techniques for farming grains. The plows made it easier to work heavier soil. Another Agricultural improvement was a new horse collar that allowed a horse to be yoked without being choked. The social status also ran into the agriculture as the Serf-Landlord relationship developed. Serfs were most of the population and they live off of the manors in which farming would be held. The Landlords would protect the Serfs in return for goods and remaining on the land.

Western Europe increased their intellectual understandings by opening up new universities in Italy and France. The university in Italy specialized in teaching Medicine and Law. The French university was mainly taught for clergy and theology. The university in Italy greatly impacted the technological advancements. Their Medicine studies benefited from new learning imported from Arabia as well as research of the old Greek and Hellenistic sciences.

Western Europe’s religious factor had it’s ups and downs during the time of reformation. It was organized as the Roman Empire was. Bishops were in charge of the regional churches, but the pope is the top authority. Papal missionaries converted England, Germany, and Scandinavia by the 10th century. They had tough competition with the Orthodox missionaries. Their wealthy institutions also tempted many monks and priests to succumb to feudalism and try to gain more world power.

Image source: http://www.myhistorylab.com/

Manorialism & Feudalism - Jessika L.

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1/25/11

Manorialism and feudalism are quite distinct in nature. Manorialism and feudalism have certain characteristics and conditions based on each specific situation and time period. Feudalism and manorialism, though two different systems in terms of the distributing of powers, developed only under certain conditions and were some of the starting principles of political and socioeconomic structures to come.

Feudalism was a political structure under which manorialism was a key economic and social component. Feudalism is a structure where power is won by military and logistic ingenuity. The top of this society is characterized by a warrior nobility. Power was divided into lords, vassals, and fiefs and was gained through loyalty and military tributes. Vassals were called upon by the lords during times of war. Manorialism, a system construed under feudalism, consisted of the dependent serfs and the estate or manor owners. Serfs received protection and land to grow and harvest crops in exchange for a large percentage of their crops being given to the manor owner. The manor owner gained power through supplying the kingdom, gaining allegiance with the king.

Feudalism and manorialism occur during critical points of transition between powers. Feudalism occurs primarily when the central powers of a state are fragile and disintegrating. Well armed military soldiers developed regions of their own control based on hereditary inheritance and feudal policies. Manorialism, a major part of feudalism was ever changing as time went on. It developed during the fall of the Roman empire and lasted well into early society. However, the basic principles were the same. Serfs were basically tied to the lands they tilled based on systems of feudal rule that inhibited or delayed them moving up in society.

Feudalism and manorialism set the stage for recurring patterns in governing that are still displayed in current politics. Feudalism, though its inital intent was to distribute power and create a unified hierarchy, couldn't help but develop into beurocracies and more complex hierarchies. It became monarchies. Properties of feudalistic societies such as inheritance survived when it came to handing down the throne. However, no longer was the warrior class as prized as the intellectuals and political masterminds behind each throne. Power gradually slipped from the leader as the former peasants began to rebel. In feudalistic societies, the rebellions were handled swiftly and on a more local level, unlike the national levels experienced by later monarchies. Manorialism, on the other hand, was a stepping stone to capitalism. Serfs were able to escape the fields they were practically slaves of by the shortage of workers experienced after the black death. No longer were serfs entirely dependent upon the manor owners, so the owners and peasants were able to create symbiotic relationships where they both benefitted.

 In many ways, feudalism and manorialism became relatively dynamic systems of power in a transitioning world. Feudal political and manorial economic systems were a vital necessity of the systems they would later evolve into. Power and economic interest in Western Europe held a critical stake in the power, sway, and military capabilities of an individual. Without these characteristics, you would just become another dependent upon an ever growing distinction between the rulers and ruled.

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The Rise of Western Power - Aliya S.

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1/26/11

The rise of the West wasn't an overnight occurrence. Through a series of well timed events, the West grew in both power and intelligence. To simply put it, Europe was simply at the right place in the right time for it's growth, for there was no interference from other countries so they didn't have to focus on keeping their land. Instead they were allowed to invest into invention and discovery, as well as weapons and other technologies that furthered their growth as a civilization.


Through the Crusades, an influx of information and knowledge flew into Europe, along with far-reaching political, economic, and social impacts, some of which have lasted into contemporary times. Their attempts to reclaim the “holy land” from the Musliums failed, however they gained so much more from it than land. Instead, they began to build up from the Dark Ages in which they had been trapped in from famine and the black plague, into a strong and intelligent region which was driven by science in the “Age of Enlightenment” in the 18th century.


But it wasn't just the Crusades that did something. Europe was still under the radar, and to other countries they were insignificant. With no one stopping, they began to build, and expand, and create, and experiment, all while competing with each other. Spain, England, and France began a sort of “competition”, always trying to better each other in technology. Through competition they were driven to become better, and managed to advance much further at a rapid pace than most other countries.


With China being xenophobic and ethnocentric, and the Middle East wrapped up in their own problems they didn't pay any attention to Europe and the fact that it was advancing much farther than they were. The Middle East also didn't see anything wrong with the weapons they had, so they didn't advance them. It wasn't until Europe decided to show off their fancy new weapons did they realize that Europe had raced ahead of them.


Through many different elements that were incredibly timed, Europe managed to rise in both power and intellect. This rise would eventually pave the way to “white dominance” in the future, as well as the lead to the modern world that it is today. Funny to think that it's rise was all due to coincidence, and how our world might of possibly become different if things didn't like it did.


Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renissance

Shift of Global Power - Lauren G.

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1/27/11

                1250-1500 was an experimental phase for Europe. Western Europe’s changing position of power made it possible for exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. Western Europe’s venture into the Atlantic opened up new opportunities for expansion and colonization. From  the late 1200’s to 1500, Europe took many trips into the Atlantic finding land where they colonized and set up new trade ports in the Americas.

            As early as 1291, the two Vivaldi brothers of Genoa, Italy set sail seeking a route to the “Indies” through the Straits of Gibraltar, but were never heard from again.  These explorers were just two of the many seeking a quicker route to the Indies for their spices and other exotic goods. Explorers set off into the Atlantic not really knowing what they meant by finding the Indies.

            During the early 14th century other explorers from Genoa rediscovered the Canary Islands. These sailors also explored Madeiras and Azores by 1351. Ships from Spain traveled down the coast of Africa to Sierra Leone. Ventures into the Atlantic were dangerous without proper navigation or good ships until 1430 when the barriers of technology broke. By 1439, Portugal had taken over the Azores and began to grant land to colonists. Spain quickly took over the Madeiras and the Canary islands.

            In 1498 Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, was the first European to travel to India by sea.  Colonies of western expansion became mainly cash crops. Products like cotton and tobacco were introduced to the islands and ultimately became the main exports of the colonies.

            West Europe’s focus during 1250-1500 was westward exploration and expansion through the Atlantic. The discovery or rediscovery of islands in the Atlantic became new colonies of farming and trade ports. The urge to find the “Indies” by crossing the Atlantic brought on many new and wonderful things for west Europe.

Image source: http://www.myhistorylab.com/