1. European Middle Ages

2. European Middle Ages
Clear Trends
= political decentralization and backwardness
Emerged out of ruins of Roman Empire
Similar to Japan and Africa in political development
Impact of Vikings, Magyar & Muslim invasions
Disrupted development
Protection was valued
Gave rise to feudalism and the Manorial system

3. E. 1000-1300 = General revival in Europe
More defined nations - France, England, Spain, Russia
Stronger economy
Trade increases
Hanseatic League-
Northern Germany and Scandinavia
Black Sea trade
Through central Europe
Pop. Increases
Revival of Cities!
Improved tech. & cultural knowledge
Ag. Improvements
Printing press

4. 4. Intellectual Movements
Increased interest in learning from past & present societies
Rise of universities
Synthesis of faith and reason
Thomas Aquinas– high point of scholasticism’ Summas
Sought to reconcile faith & reason
5. Emergence of concept = Europe as single civilization
a. Joined by common heritage and Christian rel.

5. II. Feudalism and Manor System
Origins of feudalism
Inability to create centralized rule
Need for protection and localized control
Based on reciprocal economic obligations
Timeline of Feudalism
800 – feudalism expands to cover wider area
900 – Regional lords evolve into Feudal monarchs
1066 – William conquers England = feudalism + central gov’t
1200 – origins of limited and rep. gov’t

6. III. Medieval Church
Most stable institution of Middle Ages
Main source of intellectual activity
Christian Orders Developed
Benedictines – monastic life
Franciscans & Dominicans – called for return to simplicity and poverty of early church.
- Appalled by heresy within church

7. The Growth of European Kingdoms
I. Kings Gain Power during High Middle Ages
Increasing land through wars and marriage
Extended power through greater wealth
Enabled monarchs to hire soldiers and officials
Reduced dependence on vassals

8. England in the High Middle Ages
1066 – Norman conquest of England establishes feudal monarchy in England.
1215 – King John forced to sign Magna Carta
Limited king’s power
1295 – 1st English Parliament
Law beginning to be determined by king in consultation with reps.

9. The Capetian Monarchs Build a French Kingdom
Capetian dynasty established in 987 – No real power over most of France.
King Philip II ( )gained power and land from England
1302 – Estates General (French Parliament) was born
Bringing together reps. From 3 estates or classes
Clergy = 1st Estate
Nobles = 2nd Estate
Townspeople = 3rd Estate
Feudal Monarchy in England vs. France
Norman conquest of England establishes a feudal monarchy in England much more rapidly than occurs in France.