The European Heritage Chapter 1 Section 4

Judeo-Christian Tradition European beliefs were shaped by two religions of the ancient Middle East: Judaism Christianity The influence of these two religions is known as the Judeo-Christian tradition. European beliefs were shaped by two religions of the ancient Middle East: Judaism Christianity The influence of these two religions is known as the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Judaism Around 1700 BC, a system of beliefs called Judaism arose among the Israelites, a nomadic people of the Middle East. Judaism was the first major world religion to teach monotheism. Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God. Around 1700 BC, a system of beliefs called Judaism arose among the Israelites, a nomadic people of the Middle East. Judaism was the first major world religion to teach monotheism. Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God.

Christianity About 2000 years ago, a Jewish teacher named Jesus of Nazareth began to preach in the region around the Sea of Galilee. Many believed that he was the Messiah, or Savior chosen by God. Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, sent by God to save the world. The teachings of Jesus emphasized love, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus taught that everyone has an equal chance for salvation or everlasting life. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and eventually became the dominant religion in Europe. About 2000 years ago, a Jewish teacher named Jesus of Nazareth began to preach in the region around the Sea of Galilee. Many believed that he was the Messiah, or Savior chosen by God. Christianity is based on the belief that Jesus was the Messiah, sent by God to save the world. The teachings of Jesus emphasized love, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus taught that everyone has an equal chance for salvation or everlasting life. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and eventually became the dominant religion in Europe.

Greek and Roman Tradition sudden explosion of learning and creativity. Athenian Democracy - In the fifth century BC, the Greek city-state of Athens experienced a sudden explosion of learning and creativity. Its most remarkable achievement was the birth of democracy. Athens was a direct democracy. Direct democracy is a form of government in which an assembly of ordinary citizens makes decisions. It is different from modern American government because here we choose representatives to make laws. Any adult male citizen could participate in the Athenian Assembly. sudden explosion of learning and creativity. Athenian Democracy - In the fifth century BC, the Greek city-state of Athens experienced a sudden explosion of learning and creativity. Its most remarkable achievement was the birth of democracy. Athens was a direct democracy. Direct democracy is a form of government in which an assembly of ordinary citizens makes decisions. It is different from modern American government because here we choose representatives to make laws. Any adult male citizen could participate in the Athenian Assembly.

Roman Government and Law In 509 BC, the Romans overthrew their king and set up a republic. A republic is a form of government where people choose representatives to govern them. The elected senate and assembly made laws. Rome’s code of laws stated that all people were equal and the accused were considered innocent until proven guilty. In 509 BC, the Romans overthrew their king and set up a republic. A republic is a form of government where people choose representatives to govern them. The elected senate and assembly made laws. Rome’s code of laws stated that all people were equal and the accused were considered innocent until proven guilty.

The Middle Ages Middle Ages 500 – most thought the world was flat - 3 continents – Europe, Asia, Africa - Daily life was hard main concern was survival Feudalism - Main type of government during the Middle Ages - A system in which a ruler grants parts of his land to lards - In exchange, lords owed the king military service and financial assistance - In turn, lords granted land to lesser lords. Middle Ages 500 – most thought the world was flat - 3 continents – Europe, Asia, Africa - Daily life was hard main concern was survival Feudalism - Main type of government during the Middle Ages - A system in which a ruler grants parts of his land to lards - In exchange, lords owed the king military service and financial assistance - In turn, lords granted land to lesser lords.

Feudalism cont. With this type of government - few merchants and traders - few roads or towns - life revolved around the manor - The Roman Catholic Church had great power and daily life revolved around the rituals of the Catholic Church. - Few people knew how to read and write. With this type of government - few merchants and traders - few roads or towns - life revolved around the manor - The Roman Catholic Church had great power and daily life revolved around the rituals of the Catholic Church. - Few people knew how to read and write.

The Crusades The Crusades 1100 – religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims over the “Holy Land” (Middle East) - land was sacred to Christians because Jesus was crucified there - also sacred to Muslims because their prophet, Muhammed, also had lived there. - for the first time Europeans looked beyond the Manor.....first military battles away from home The Crusades 1100 – religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims over the “Holy Land” (Middle East) - land was sacred to Christians because Jesus was crucified there - also sacred to Muslims because their prophet, Muhammed, also had lived there. - for the first time Europeans looked beyond the Manor.....first military battles away from home

Lasting Effects of Crusades They did NOT regain the Holy Land, however the Crusades did have lasting effects - large #’s of Europeans traveled beyond their towns - learned to live with different cultures (also imposed some of their own – cultural exchange) - ate strange foods (rice, oranges, dates) - found new spices – not only to improve taste, but preserve food They did NOT regain the Holy Land, however the Crusades did have lasting effects - large #’s of Europeans traveled beyond their towns - learned to live with different cultures (also imposed some of their own – cultural exchange) - ate strange foods (rice, oranges, dates) - found new spices – not only to improve taste, but preserve food

Economic Effects of The Crusades One of the most important effects was ECONOMIC - Europeans would pay high prices for foreign goods - trade with merchants of Middle East increased greatly - Arabs also helped Italian sailors navigate the oceans better (magnetic compass, astrolabe) Increased travel and trade made Europeans more curious about the world - Created a “burst of learning” known as the RENAISSANCE One of the most important effects was ECONOMIC - Europeans would pay high prices for foreign goods - trade with merchants of Middle East increased greatly - Arabs also helped Italian sailors navigate the oceans better (magnetic compass, astrolabe) Increased travel and trade made Europeans more curious about the world - Created a “burst of learning” known as the RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance RENAISSANCE ’s - Printing Press – mid 1400’s - Johannes Gutenberg - large # of books produced → low cost → more books available → more people learned to read → more they learned New Rulers all looked to increase wealth (England, Spain, Portugal, France) - wanted to increase trade with China and other lands in Asia - Arabs and Italian merchants controlled trade routes..... had to find new routes RENAISSANCE ’s - Printing Press – mid 1400’s - Johannes Gutenberg - large # of books produced → low cost → more books available → more people learned to read → more they learned New Rulers all looked to increase wealth (England, Spain, Portugal, France) - wanted to increase trade with China and other lands in Asia - Arabs and Italian merchants controlled trade routes..... had to find new routes

The Reformation In 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther demanded that the Roman Catholic Church reform. When his demands were rejected, Luther rebelled against the Catholic Church authority. Followers of Luther were called Protestants, because the were protesting certain Catholic Church practices. The movement led by Luther is known as the Protestant Reformation. Over time, many Protestant churches emerged and the Reformation plunged Europe into a long series of wars between Catholics and Protestants. In 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther demanded that the Roman Catholic Church reform. When his demands were rejected, Luther rebelled against the Catholic Church authority. Followers of Luther were called Protestants, because the were protesting certain Catholic Church practices. The movement led by Luther is known as the Protestant Reformation. Over time, many Protestant churches emerged and the Reformation plunged Europe into a long series of wars between Catholics and Protestants.

The Age of Exploration Begins Prince Henry – early 1400’s - sets up an informal school to help sailors in their explorations Caravel – ship could sail against the wind - triangular sails – steering rudder - astrolabe - an instrument that determines the precise latitude or distance from the equator – Vasco da Gama – Portuguese sailor - sailed around the southern tip of Africa - this new route allowed Portugal to build a successful trading empire - found well developed African kingdoms along Africa’s east coast Prince Henry – early 1400’s - sets up an informal school to help sailors in their explorations Caravel – ship could sail against the wind - triangular sails – steering rudder - astrolabe - an instrument that determines the precise latitude or distance from the equator – Vasco da Gama – Portuguese sailor - sailed around the southern tip of Africa - this new route allowed Portugal to build a successful trading empire - found well developed African kingdoms along Africa’s east coast