Political Change in Europe

Shifting Balance of Power Shifting Balance of Power  1200: Kings, though powerful, were limited…  Dependence on Nobility (for knights)Nobility (for knights) Pope (for moral authority)Pope (for moral authority)  By 1500: Series of events produced a collection of powerful monarchs throughout Europe at the expense of weakened Popes and Noblemen.

Magna Carta, 1215  Signed by King John of England… Monarchs were subject to law Nobles retained hereditary rights Church (Pope) held ultimate authority London remained independent of king Only 4 copies have survived, most well-preserved in Salisbury Cathedral

Signs of Change  Development of New Weapons Metal-tipped, armor- piercing arrowsMetal-tipped, armor- piercing arrows Firearms (gunpowder, cannon)Firearms (gunpowder, cannon)  Result: Knights became obsolete Replaced by national armies funded through clever taxation that filled royal treasuriesReplaced by national armies funded through clever taxation that filled royal treasuries

Change, cont’d  Erosion of Papal Authority  Remember Pope Gregory VII? “all princes should kiss his (pope’s) feet”“all princes should kiss his (pope’s) feet”  Pope Boniface VIII (r ) arrested French King Philip IV (the Fair) has pope brought (arrested) from Rome to AvignonFrench King Philip IV (the Fair) has pope brought (arrested) from Rome to Avignon After death of Boniface, new pope namedAfter death of Boniface, new pope named Next pope was French (surprise!) and remained in AvignonNext pope was French (surprise!) and remained in Avignon

Great Western Schism  Not to be confused with “Great Schism” 1054 – East/West split1054 – East/West split  Beginning with death of Pope Gregory XI (the last French pope), Period in which 2 rival popes ruled, one in Rome, one in AvignonBeginning with death of Pope Gregory XI (the last French pope), Period in which 2 rival popes ruled, one in Rome, one in Avignon European Christians had to chooseEuropean Christians had to choose 1415, Return of ONE Pope to Rome1415, Return of ONE Pope to Rome Rather damaged the position of papacyRather damaged the position of papacy

The Hundred Years’ War  Between England and France Political Marriage/Alliance – OOPS!Political Marriage/Alliance – OOPS! English King Edward III claims French throneEnglish King Edward III claims French throne  New Military Technology English longbow gave England early advantageEnglish longbow gave England early advantage Heavier armorHeavier armor Pike – pulled horseman from horsePike – pulled horseman from horse Firearms – cannonFirearms – cannon  French heroine, Joan of Arc – martyrred 1431

After 100 Years’ War…  Strong Central Governments  Stable National Boundaries  New Institutions Representing Populace England – Parliament (Houses of Lords, Commons)England – Parliament (Houses of Lords, Commons) France – Estates General (3 groups – C,N,T)France – Estates General (3 groups – C,N,T)  New Military Technologies leading to…  Professional Armies, financed by  New Sources of Revenue Taxation of land, merchants, churchTaxation of land, merchants, church

Iberian Unification  Spain, Portugal – strong centralized nations – marriage alliances, warfare, mergers, reconquest of Muslim lands.  1212 – Christian victory over Muslims  1249 – Establishment of Portugal  1415 – Ceuta controlled by Portuguese  1469 – Unification of Castille, Aragon  1492 – Defeat of Muslims at Granada Expulsion of Jews, Muslims from SpainExpulsion of Jews, Muslims from Spain

Conclusions  Population Growth -- stress on environment -- Deforestation Settlement AreasSettlement Areas Expanded FarmingExpanded Farming Growth of CitiesGrowth of Cities New IndustriesNew Industries  Modern Europe began to take shape Politics, Boundaries, Economic Systems (including modern taxation and banking), CulturePolitics, Boundaries, Economic Systems (including modern taxation and banking), Culture

More Conclusions  Technologies borrowed from other (Eastern) lands led to growth and progress Military (gunpowder, crossbow),Military (gunpowder, crossbow), Industrial (waterwheels, windmills),Industrial (waterwheels, windmills), Cultural (printing press, compass)Cultural (printing press, compass)

By 1500…  While retaining fundamental belief in Christianity, Church’s power was diminished Rise of Monarchies, limited by ParliamentsRise of Monarchies, limited by Parliaments Role of UniversitiesRole of Universities Weakening via Protestant ReformationWeakening via Protestant Reformation  Science raised questions of faith  Great Western Schism -- 2 popes??  Set Stage for “Age of Explorers”

Protestant Reformation  By 1500, papacy suffered from corruption  Scandalous behavior of clergy  Ambitious construction projects, including  St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome Pope Leo X (one of the DeMedicis)Pope Leo X (one of the DeMedicis) Authorized sale of “indulgences” to raise $Authorized sale of “indulgences” to raise $ Martin Luther, German monk, objectedMartin Luther, German monk, objected  “95 Theses”, Wittenburg Cathedral

Luther’s 95 Theses Posted on October 31 st, the Eve of All Saints Day, 1517, knowing that the church would be full of people the next day.

Luther’s Call for Reform  Salvation based on “faith alone” in Christ  “Good works” were not necessary  Belief to be based on word of God as revealed in Scripture, tradition  NOT on Papal authority  Refusing to back down, he was…  Excommunicated by Leo X  Married a former nun!  Used printing press to spread ideas  Found favor with German princes – nationalism!

Other Calls for Reform of Christian Beliefs  Frenchman John Calvin  Wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion  Went beyond Luther’s beliefs  “Pre-destination” -- Salvation was a “gift from God”, regardless of one’s faith in Jesus Christ  Simplification of Rituals – NO statues, vestments, music, stained-glass, etc.  Like Luther, rejected celibacy by clergy

Catholic (or Counter) Reformation  Council of Trent (met from 1545 to 1563) Affirmed authority of PopeAffirmed authority of Pope Required bishops to reside in his dioceseRequired bishops to reside in his diocese Each diocese to train priests (seminary)Each diocese to train priests (seminary)

 Appearance of a new religious order…  Society of Jesus (Jesuits), founded by Spaniard, Ignatious of Loyola Teaching and Preaching!Teaching and Preaching!