Latin West, Ch. 16
I. Rural Growth and Crisis
a. Peasants, population, and plague i. In 1200, most Europeans were peasants bound in serfdom & using inefficient agricultural practices such families supported each noble household. i. In 1200, most Europeans were peasants bound in serfdom & using inefficient agricultural practices such families supported each noble household. ii. Women labored in the fields w/ men but were subordinate to them. ii. Women labored in the fields w/ men but were subordinate to them. iii. Europe’s pop. more than doubled between 1000 & Growth was accompanied by new agricultural technologies in n. Eur., including 3-field system and cultivation of oats. iii. Europe’s pop. more than doubled between 1000 & Growth was accompanied by new agricultural technologies in n. Eur., including 3-field system and cultivation of oats.
How was the three field system an improvement over the two field system? It's all in understanding how it worked: It's all in understanding how it worked: It is the 11 th century and you are French Lord. Your serfs farm 600 acres on your manor. It is the 11 th century and you are French Lord. Your serfs farm 600 acres on your manor. Two field system [300 acres per field] Two field system [300 acres per field] Field #1. Planted field--Plowed once and planted in winter wheat or rye. Field #1. Planted field--Plowed once and planted in winter wheat or rye. Field #2. Fallow field--plowed twice to break up weeds and hasten fallowing process. Field #2. Fallow field--plowed twice to break up weeds and hasten fallowing process. Results: 300 acres of crop Results: 300 acres of crop 900 acres plowed [field #1 once, field #2 twice] 900 acres plowed [field #1 once, field #2 twice]
Three field system [200 acres per field] Field #1 plowed once and planted with winter wheat or rye. Field #1 plowed once and planted with winter wheat or rye. Field #2 plowed once and planted with oats, barley, broadbeans, peas or chickpeas. [Note that the legumes restore nitrogen to the soil]. Field #2 plowed once and planted with oats, barley, broadbeans, peas or chickpeas. [Note that the legumes restore nitrogen to the soil]. Field #3. Left to fallow, and plowed twice. Field #3. Left to fallow, and plowed twice. Results: 400 acres of crop Results: 400 acres of crop 800 acres plowed 800 acres plowed Our serfs are producing an additional 100 acres of food for the same amount of land and they are plowing 100 acres less. Our serfs are producing an additional 100 acres of food for the same amount of land and they are plowing 100 acres less.
But wait, there's more! Our serfs have extra time on their hands. They aren't plowing that extra 100 acres. Let's put them to work clearing more land. Our serfs have extra time on their hands. They aren't plowing that extra 100 acres. Let's put them to work clearing more land. They can clear 75 acres of forest in about the same amount of time it would take to plow 100. They can clear 75 acres of forest in about the same amount of time it would take to plow 100. That means three field of 25 acres each. We add it to our 600 acre manor. That means three field of 25 acres each. We add it to our 600 acre manor. Result: We now have 675, 450 of which is planted in crops Result: We now have 675, 450 of which is planted in crops [Our two 200 acre planed fields, plus two more planted fields of 25 acres=450 acres] [Our two 200 acre planed fields, plus two more planted fields of 25 acres=450 acres] We have increased our cultivated land by 1/8 th [75/600= 0.125] We have increased our cultivated land by 1/8 th [75/600= 0.125] Our serfs, however, are now 50 percent more productive, as they plant and harvest 450 acres of crops, rather than 300 acres. Our serfs, however, are now 50 percent more productive, as they plant and harvest 450 acres of crops, rather than 300 acres.
As Lords, we have more wealth and our serfs eat better, live longer, and have more children. As Lords, we have more wealth and our serfs eat better, live longer, and have more children. Let's build a church to celebrate and go start a war! Let's build a church to celebrate and go start a war!
iv. As pop. grew, new lands opened for cultivation, including poor soil/growing conditions...., decline in average crop yields ~1250. iv. As pop. grew, new lands opened for cultivation, including poor soil/growing conditions...., decline in average crop yields ~1250. v. Population pressure eased by Black Death, Kaffa Italy/southern France in Plague ravaged Europe for 2 years and returned periodically in late 1300s & 1400s, causing substantial decreases in pop. v. Population pressure eased by Black Death, Kaffa Italy/southern France in Plague ravaged Europe for 2 years and returned periodically in late 1300s & 1400s, causing substantial decreases in pop.
The Black Death in Europe
The Disease Cycle Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria. Flea’s gut clogged with bacteria. Bacteria multiply in flea’s gut. Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound. Human is infected!
b. Social rebellion i. As a result of plague, labor becomes more expensive in W. Eur. This leads to a series of peasant and worker uprisings, higher wages, & the end of serfdom. (Serfdom in E. Europe grew extensively in the centuries after the Black Death.) i. As a result of plague, labor becomes more expensive in W. Eur. This leads to a series of peasant and worker uprisings, higher wages, & the end of serfdom. (Serfdom in E. Europe grew extensively in the centuries after the Black Death.) ii. Rural living standards improve; artisans’ apprenticeships shortened, per capita income rose. ii. Rural living standards improve; artisans’ apprenticeships shortened, per capita income rose.
c. Mills and mines i , Europeans invented/used mechanical devices including water wheels and windmills. Mills were expensive to build but brought great profits over time. ii. Industrial enterprises like mining, ironworking, stone quarrying, & tanning grew. Results: greater productivity along with environmental damage including water pollution & deforestation.
II. Urban Revival
a. Trading cities i. Increases in trade & manufacturing contributed to growth of cities. Relationship between trade, manufacturing, & urbanization demonstrated in growth of cities in n. Italy & urban areas of Champagne & Flanders. i. Increases in trade & manufacturing contributed to growth of cities. Relationship between trade, manufacturing, & urbanization demonstrated in growth of cities in n. Italy & urban areas of Champagne & Flanders. ii. Venetian capture of Constantinople (1204), opening of C. Asian caravan routes under Mongols, & post Mongol development of Mediterranean galley trade W/ Constantinople, Beirut, & Alexandria brought profit to Venice. Increase in sea trade also brought profits to Genoa in Med. & cities of Hanseatic League in Baltic & North Seas. ii. Venetian capture of Constantinople (1204), opening of C. Asian caravan routes under Mongols, & post Mongol development of Mediterranean galley trade W/ Constantinople, Beirut, & Alexandria brought profit to Venice. Increase in sea trade also brought profits to Genoa in Med. & cities of Hanseatic League in Baltic & North Seas.
iii. Flanders profited from woolen textile industry; towns of Champagne benefited from location on major trade route through France & trade fairs sponsored by nobles. iii. Flanders profited from woolen textile industry; towns of Champagne benefited from location on major trade route through France & trade fairs sponsored by nobles. iv. Textile industries developed in England & Florence. Europeans used water wheels & windmills in textile, paper, & other industries. iv. Textile industries developed in England & Florence. Europeans used water wheels & windmills in textile, paper, & other industries.
b. Civic life i. Some cities are city-states, others are autonomous from local nobility: thus, better able to respond to changing market conditions than Chinese or Islamic cities. Eur. cities also offered citizens more freedom & social mobility. i. Some cities are city-states, others are autonomous from local nobility: thus, better able to respond to changing market conditions than Chinese or Islamic cities. Eur. cities also offered citizens more freedom & social mobility. ii. Most European Jews lived in cities. Subject to persecution everywhere but Rome; blamed for disasters like Black Death, expelled from Spain. ii. Most European Jews lived in cities. Subject to persecution everywhere but Rome; blamed for disasters like Black Death, expelled from Spain.
iii. Guilds regulated practice of/access to trades. Women rarely allowed to join, but did work in unskilled non-guild jobs in textile industry and food & beverage trades. iii. Guilds regulated practice of/access to trades. Women rarely allowed to join, but did work in unskilled non-guild jobs in textile industry and food & beverage trades. iv. Growth in commerce gave rise to bankers like Medicis of Florence & Fuggers of Augsburg, who handled transactions for merchants, church, & kings/princes. Because Church prohibited usury, many moneylenders were Jews; Christian bankers got around it by devices like asking for “gifts” in lieu of interest. iv. Growth in commerce gave rise to bankers like Medicis of Florence & Fuggers of Augsburg, who handled transactions for merchants, church, & kings/princes. Because Church prohibited usury, many moneylenders were Jews; Christian bankers got around it by devices like asking for “gifts” in lieu of interest.
c. Gothic cathedrals i. Masterpieces of late medieval architecture & craftsmanship. Distinctive features include pointed Gothic arch, flying buttresses, high towers & spires, gargoyles, and large interiors lit by huge windows. i. Masterpieces of late medieval architecture & craftsmanship. Distinctive features include pointed Gothic arch, flying buttresses, high towers & spires, gargoyles, and large interiors lit by huge windows. ii. No formal training in design & engineering – architects learned through mistakes. ii. No formal training in design & engineering – architects learned through mistakes.
Flying Buttresses
III. Learning, Literature, and the Renaissance
a. Universities and scholarship i. After 1100, Greek & Arabic works on science, philosophy, & medicine available. Manuscripts translated & explicated by Jewish scholars & Christian monasteries (primary centers of learning). i. After 1100, Greek & Arabic works on science, philosophy, & medicine available. Manuscripts translated & explicated by Jewish scholars & Christian monasteries (primary centers of learning). ii. After 1200, colleges & universities emerged. Some established by students; most were teaching guilds established by professors to oversee training, control membership, & fight for interests of profession. ii. After 1200, colleges & universities emerged. Some established by students; most were teaching guilds established by professors to oversee training, control membership, & fight for interests of profession. iii. Universities usually specialized: Bologna, law; others medicine or theology. Theology most prominent discipline; theologians sought to synthesize rational philosophy of Greeks with Christianity in an intellectual movement called scholasticism (they were called scholastics). iii. Universities usually specialized: Bologna, law; others medicine or theology. Theology most prominent discipline; theologians sought to synthesize rational philosophy of Greeks with Christianity in an intellectual movement called scholasticism (they were called scholastics).
b. Humanists and printers i. Great writers included Dante Alighieri (Divine Comedy – vernacular Italian – journey through 9 levels of Hell, purgatory, & entry to Paradise) and Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales – Middle English - rich portrayal of lives of everyday people in late medieval England). i. Great writers included Dante Alighieri (Divine Comedy – vernacular Italian – journey through 9 levels of Hell, purgatory, & entry to Paradise) and Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales – Middle English - rich portrayal of lives of everyday people in late medieval England).
ii. Dante influenced intellectual movement of humanists – men like Petrarch (sonnets) & Boccaccio (Decameron), with interests in the humanities & classical Greek & Roman lit. Humanists influenced reform of secondary education. ii. Dante influenced intellectual movement of humanists – men like Petrarch (sonnets) & Boccaccio (Decameron), with interests in the humanities & classical Greek & Roman lit. Humanists influenced reform of secondary education.
iii. Some humanists wrote in vernacular, some in Latin. Many worked to restore original Greek & Latin texts & the Bible through comparative analysis of various versions. Pope Nicholas V established Vatican Library; Dutch humanist Erasmus (In Praise of Folly) produced critical edition of New Testament. Thomas More wrote Utopia.
iv. Influence of writers was increased by development of printing press. Johann Gutenberg perfected it in 1454 (1st work, Bible). By 1500, his press & 200+ others produced at least 10 million printed works.
c. Renaissance artists i. 14th-15th century artists built on work of more natural paintings of Giotto as they developed a painting style that depicted Greek & Roman (classical) gods /themes and scenes from daily life. (There was still a lot of religious art, just not ONLY religious themes.) Realistic style also influenced by Jan van Eyck & Flemish school’s development of oil paints. Leonardo da Vinci (Last Supper, Mona Lisa) and Michelangelo (David, Pieta, Sistine Chapel ceiling & Last Judgment) were two famous artists. (Others included Raphael, Titian, Donatello, Brueghel, Holbein…) i. 14th-15th century artists built on work of more natural paintings of Giotto as they developed a painting style that depicted Greek & Roman (classical) gods /themes and scenes from daily life. (There was still a lot of religious art, just not ONLY religious themes.) Realistic style also influenced by Jan van Eyck & Flemish school’s development of oil paints. Leonardo da Vinci (Last Supper, Mona Lisa) and Michelangelo (David, Pieta, Sistine Chapel ceiling & Last Judgment) were two famous artists. (Others included Raphael, Titian, Donatello, Brueghel, Holbein…)
ii. Artists studied human anatomy. Techniques included sfumato, chiaroscuro, perspective… (LOOK THESE UP!!) ii. Artists studied human anatomy. Techniques included sfumato, chiaroscuro, perspective… (LOOK THESE UP!!) iii. Wealthy merchant & clerical patrons like the Medicis of Florence and the Church contributed to the development of Ren. art. Artistic & intellectual developments did not stop in Europe; the university, printing press, & oil painting spread worldwide. iii. Wealthy merchant & clerical patrons like the Medicis of Florence and the Church contributed to the development of Ren. art. Artistic & intellectual developments did not stop in Europe; the university, printing press, & oil painting spread worldwide.
IV. Political and Military Transformations
a. Monarchs, nobles, and the church i. 13th-cen. states were ruled by weak monarchs whose power was limited by modest treasuries, regional nobility, independent towns, & church. i. 13th-cen. states were ruled by weak monarchs whose power was limited by modest treasuries, regional nobility, independent towns, & church. ii. 2 changes in weaponry undermined utility (& economic position) of knights: Armor-piercing crossbow and firearms. ii. 2 changes in weaponry undermined utility (& economic position) of knights: Armor-piercing crossbow and firearms.
iii. King Philip the Fair of France reduced the power of the church when he arrested Pope Boniface & installed a new French pope at Avignon (Babylonian Captivity), but monarchs still faced resistance (especially from stronger vassals). In England, Norman Conquest of 1066 consolidated/centralized royal power, but kings still found power limited by pope & by nobles, who forced the king to recognize their hereditary rights as defined in the Magna Carta (signed by John in 1215). iii. King Philip the Fair of France reduced the power of the church when he arrested Pope Boniface & installed a new French pope at Avignon (Babylonian Captivity), but monarchs still faced resistance (especially from stronger vassals). In England, Norman Conquest of 1066 consolidated/centralized royal power, but kings still found power limited by pope & by nobles, who forced the king to recognize their hereditary rights as defined in the Magna Carta (signed by John in 1215). iv. Monarchs & nobles often had marriage alliances. One effect was wars over inheritance of far-flung territories. Long-term, these wars strengthened the monarchs & led to establishment of territorial boundaries. iv. Monarchs & nobles often had marriage alliances. One effect was wars over inheritance of far-flung territories. Long-term, these wars strengthened the monarchs & led to establishment of territorial boundaries.
b. The Hundred Years War i. France vs. England: English king Edward III claimed French throne in War fought with new technology: crossbows, longbows, pikes, firearms (including improved cannon). i. France vs. England: English king Edward III claimed French throne in War fought with new technology: crossbows, longbows, pikes, firearms (including improved cannon). ii. English had early Crecy & Agincourt (Henry V). ii. English had early Crecy & Agincourt (Henry V).
iii. Joan of Arc led the French to Orleans. iii. Joan of Arc led the French to Orleans. iv. French, whose superior cannon destroyed castles of English & their allies, finally defeated England. War left French monarchy stronger than before. England faced Wars of the Roses at home. iv. French, whose superior cannon destroyed castles of English & their allies, finally defeated England. War left French monarchy stronger than before. England faced Wars of the Roses at home.
c. New monarchies in France & England i. Post-100 Years War monarchies had stronger central gov’ts, more stable national boundaries, & stronger representative institutions. English & French monarchs both consolidated control over nobles. i. Post-100 Years War monarchies had stronger central gov’ts, more stable national boundaries, & stronger representative institutions. English & French monarchs both consolidated control over nobles. ii. New military tech. (cannon, hand-held firearms) meant castle & knight were outdated. New: professional standing armies of bowmen, pikemen, musketeers, & artillery units. ii. New military tech. (cannon, hand-held firearms) meant castle & knight were outdated. New: professional standing armies of bowmen, pikemen, musketeers, & artillery units.
iii. New sources of revenue needed to pay for armies. Taxes on land, merchants, & church. iii. New sources of revenue needed to pay for armies. Taxes on land, merchants, & church. iv. By end of 15th cen., power shift away from nobility/church toward monarchs. Process not complete, & monarchs still limited by nobles, church, & representative institutions (English Parliament, French Estates General). iv. By end of 15th cen., power shift away from nobility/church toward monarchs. Process not complete, & monarchs still limited by nobles, church, & representative institutions (English Parliament, French Estates General).
d. Iberian unification i. Spain & Portugal emerged as strong centralized states through process of marriage alliances, mergers, warfare, & Reconquista from Muslims. Reconquest offered nobility large landed estates where they could grow rich without working. i. Spain & Portugal emerged as strong centralized states through process of marriage alliances, mergers, warfare, & Reconquista from Muslims. Reconquest offered nobility large landed estates where they could grow rich without working. ii. Reconquest took place over several centuries; picked up after Christians put Muslims on defensive after 1212 victory. ii. Reconquest took place over several centuries; picked up after Christians put Muslims on defensive after 1212 victory.
iii. Portugal completely established , Portuguese captured Moroccan port of Ceuta, gaining access to trans-Saharan trade. iv. In Iberian Peninsula, Castile & Aragon united in 1469 w/marriage of Isabella & Ferdinand. Muslims driven out of last Grenada in Spain then expelled all Jews & Muslims; Portugal also expelled Jews. (Bad move – loss of business class hurt economy.)
V. Conclusion a. The people of the Latin West proved adept at using natural resources, but they were unable to prevent overpopulation, famine, and plague. a. The people of the Latin West proved adept at using natural resources, but they were unable to prevent overpopulation, famine, and plague. b. The basic political, military, economic, intellectual, and cultural characteristics of the modern West emerged between 1200 and b. The basic political, military, economic, intellectual, and cultural characteristics of the modern West emerged between 1200 and c. During these centuries economic growth and the use of technology borrowed from points farther east put the Latin West in a position to project its military power and culture abroad. c. During these centuries economic growth and the use of technology borrowed from points farther east put the Latin West in a position to project its military power and culture abroad.