Western Civilization II Professor Markellos

What is History?

Conditions of History Passion Progress Success Envy Hate Fate

Patterns in History Is History cyclical or linear? Do you view it as a pattern, which repeats over and over? Do you view it as a progression of one damn thing after another? 1. If a pattern ... cyclical ... then how do we avoid mistakes? 2. If a progression ... linear ... is there a clear end in sight?

What You Will Learn This course will unravel some of the complexities of the past. We will look to explain, analyze, and appreciate the patterns of history. Truffle-Hunter Theory of History

What You Will Do Cognitively and actively participate in class. Do ALL the readings and react. Take notes on the lecture points. Prepare questions for discussion. Review the syllabus for dates and topics Quizzes (25%), Essay (25%) Exams (50%)

Quizzes Approximately once a week you will get a reading quiz. 10 total quizzes for 25% If you miss class, you cannot retake a quiz.

Essays There are 8 essay topics and you will pick ONE. Essay is on an outside reading that pertains to the topic covered that week. Due on the date of the lecture.

Exams Two TOTAL Exams - Midterm and Final Two Parts - Historical ID’s and Essay Tests your ability to see the larger picture and make connections.

Resources Email: nmarkellos@salemccc.edu Twitter: @Prof_Markellos Web: nicholas-markellos.weebly.com Lecture Notes: The Topic Points for Class.

Western Civilization II Week 1: The Rise of Modernity

Modes of Progress The Role of the Modern Man in society Individualism Signs of Progress - developments in the economy, society, and politics.

Making of Modernity End of the Middle Ages - Collapse of Feudalism - New Nation-States emerge Renaissance and Reformation - Cities Grow Age of Exploration - Mercantilism and Capitalism Scientific Revolution - The Method Enlightenment - The Public Sphere

End of the Middle Ages The 12th and 13th centuries Europe flourished. In the 14th and 15th centuries there is a great decline. Pre-Renaissance Europe was hit with social, political, and economic distress.

The Break Down Hundred Years War - 1337-1453 Black Death - Plague hits Western Europe 1347-1430 Great Schism - 1378-1417 Conciliar Movement - 1415 Humanism - Reacting to Scholastics

The Renaissance The late Middle Ages was a time of creative fragmentation. Three Crises: Religion, Plague, Government. Italy flourished between 1300-1450 mainly because of location. The Italian City-States - merchants and bankers The Italian City-State - merchants and bankers

Growth of City-States Urban culture was assisted by the constant war between emperor (Ghibelline) and Pope (Guelf). This war strengthened the merchant oligarchies in the cities and by the 15th century led to despotism. Unlike Northern Europe ruled by kingdoms, Italy was made up of independent states.

A Nation Divided 1377 - The Church’s power starts to fade. Avignon Papacy - splits the church Bishops lose their power to wealthy families. Merchants and Bankers flourish among the chaos.

Mercantilism The Italian Peninsula became the HUB for Western Europe. Merchant Class developed Birth of the Banking System Working Class - Manufacturing goods became popular.

Modernity Emerges Jacob Burckhardt: Civilization of Renaissance Italy. Revival of Classical Studies Self-Conscious Individuals Growth of Secular Ideas of the State But were the Middle Ages an irrelevant interruption in the development of Modern Society?

Revolt of the Medievalists Medievalists have pointed out that the Middle Ages have produced: Passionate, fully self-aware individuals Coherent theories of state Great Nationalistic Art Changes made in the 14th & 15th centuries not significant

Medieval Institutions Parliamentary Government University Education Legal Tradition

Recasting the Renaissance One cannot deny the changes that occurred from the 14th to the 15th century, but these were not dramatic changes. The culture of the Renaissance can be described as a boy growing into a man … it is a gradual process, not immediate.

Essence of Individualism Individualism of the Renaissance gave way to the Reformers of the 16th century. Man by himself achieves nothing through the gift of spirit or grace. Faith through the salvation of Christ

Reformation Martin Luther and John Calvin main figures. Failure in the face of the law - Antinomianism Saving Faith - Not Works Christian liberation paved the way for Individualism Looking for something more worldly

Modernity Three Major Aspects: Capitalism Science Democracy

Capitalism Max Weber: 1856-1920 wrote extensively on Modernization and Global Imperialism Protestant Work Ethic & the Spirit of Capitalism Werner Sombart: 1863-1941 Economic Historian who wrote on Luxury and Capitalism

Weber’s Thesis What Luther and Calvin set out in the Reformation enabled Capitalism to work smoothly. The notion of the calling Predestination - determined whether you were going to be successful

Sombart’s Thesis Capitalism and Luxury The Renaissance gave people the opportunity to gain luxury goods Created a bourgeois lifestyle — Progress as determined by status Work hard and you will get your reward

Science About eternal “things” rather than about contemplating “things” Protestants encouraged working to gain a reward. Science - Use - Service of God Improving the world - Connects to Capitalism. Socio-economic Status —> Not determined by privilege

Democracy Transformation of the Priest to the Preacher Enlightenment created the public sphere Capitalism had a demoralizing effect Calvin suggested that human beings are rotten and need law and morality…. Quis custodiet custodies But what is the best form of government? Hobbes vs. Locke

Next Week Rise of Sovereignty Briefly trace the paths to power of England and France in 17th century and define what differences were in the two distinct formations.