The Middle Ages: Economics, Politics and the Church

Advances in Agriculture (1000s – 1100s) The water mill and windmill allowed farmers to have larger crops New farming tools like heavy plows, horseshoes and collar harnesses helped farmers be more efficient Serfs began to get more freedom with the development of new lands Population grew due to more food production

Growing Trade New trade routes developed due to population and land growth Contacts were now made all over Europe Led to the rise of new business practices like: *Partnerships-expanded business and increased profits *Bankers-exchanged money between regions, gave credit and held money for safekeeping *Bankers-exchanged money between regions, gave credit and held money for safekeeping

Guilds Organizations of skilled merchants (carpentry, shoemaking, etc.) Set regulations and protected members and discourages competition Apprentice: for 2 – 7 years, trained under a master artisan Journeyman: day laborer, worked for master for daily wage—created masterpiece to become a master craftsman

Rise of Towns and the Middle Class By the 1000s, towns began to spring up in Europe due to expansion of trade and increased food supply Townspeople created charters and became self-governing city-states Led to a decline in serfdom as serfs fled manors to live in towns Towns gave rise to a new social class—the middle class (artisans, merchants) Prosperity came from trade and industry, participated in local government

Rise of the Middle Class (1050 – 1270) CAUSES: Revival of trade Changes in the ways of doing business Growth of guilds and specialized crafts Expansion of towns Decline of serfdom EFFECTS: Greater participation in town government Growing belief in individual rights New emphasis on property rights Transfer of loyalties from lords to monarchs

The Power of the Church The Structure of the Church: Power within Church is organized by status; Pope-- supreme authority Clergy—religious officials—includes bishops,,priests, and others Bishops supervise priests, settle Church disputes Religion as a Unifying Force Religion important in Middle Ages; shared beliefs bond people Clergy administers the sacraments— rites to achieve salvation Village church is place of worship and celebration

The Clergy Religious officials had different ranks within the church structure

The Law of the Church The Church has system of justice to guide people’s conduct All medieval Christians expected to obey canon law—Church law Canon law governs marriages and religious practices Popes have power over political leaders through threat of excommunication—banishment from Church, denial of salvation Kings and emperors expected to obey pope’s commands Heresy (going against Church beliefs) was the greatest crime in the Middle Ages, seen as treason against God The Inquisition: 1233, Church court searched for heretics and put them on trial.

The Magna Carta During the 1100s, a series of monarchs imposed heavy taxes on people and became oppressive King John (1199 – 1216) was a disliked ruler and continued to impose heavy taxes upon the people In 1215 King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta to limit his power and give more rights to the people

The Magna Carta Laid foundation for modern British and American governments Three principles of the Magna Carta: 1. Taxation only with representation 2. Right to trial 3. Limits to power (eventually developed into Parliament)