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[[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 15:03, 11 March 2009 (EDT)

[[User:AddisonDM|AddisonDM]] 15:03, 11 March 2009 (EDT)

1.The [[Middle Ages]] are broadly dated as lasting between AD 500-1500.  However, [[Roman Empire|Rome]] fell earlier than 500, and the [[Renaissance]], generally seen as ending the Middle Ages, began in the 1300s.

'''1.'''The [[Middle Ages]] are broadly dated as lasting between AD 500-1500.  However, [[Roman Empire|Rome]] fell earlier than 500, and the [[Renaissance]], generally seen as ending the Middle Ages, began in the 1300s.

2.The Mongols conquered the greatest area of contiguous land in history, beginning under [[Genghis Khan]], who reigned from 1162-1227.  In 1237, the Mongols successfully invaded [[Russia]] in the wintertime, the only conquerors to ever complete this feat.  In 1270 the Mongols established a dynasty in [[China]].  However, while the Mongols were great fighters, they could not administer their empire as effectively as Rome or the [[Han Dynasty|Han Empire]], and by the 1400s they were seriously declining.

'''2.'''The Mongols conquered the greatest area of contiguous land in history, beginning under [[Genghis Khan]], who reigned from 1162-1227.  In 1237, the Mongols successfully invaded [[Russia]] in the wintertime, the only conquerors to ever complete this feat.  In 1270 the Mongols established a dynasty in [[China]].  However, while the Mongols were great fighters, they could not administer their empire as effectively as Rome or the [[Han Dynasty|Han Empire]], and by the 1400s they were seriously declining.

3.[[France]] and [[England]] were able to establish nation-states, under similar [[government]]s much like [[Parliament|parliamentary]] democracy today.  [[Germany]] and [[Italy]] did not succeed.  Italy behaved much like [[Greece]], with its independent city-states often in conflict with each other.  While the individual cities could have joined together, they did not want to.  Germany, the territory which Rome could not conquer, could not be united, even when Otto the Great tried to form the Holy Roman Empire.   

'''3.'''[[France]] and [[England]] were able to establish nation-states, under similar [[government]]s much like [[Parliament|parliamentary]] democracy today.  [[Germany]] and [[Italy]] did not succeed.  Italy behaved much like [[Greece]], with its independent city-states often in conflict with each other.  While the individual cities could have joined together, they did not want to.  Germany, the territory which Rome could not conquer, could not be united, even when Otto the Great tried to form the Holy Roman Empire.   

4.I like Gothic architecture.  I have actually been to Chartres Cathedral, and the majority of the walls are intricate and colorful stained glass.  The ceilings are high and the interior is colorful and bright.  I find it interesting that the builders of these great churches were attempting to reach or emulate [[Heaven]]- at first it sounds like the evil [[Tower of Babel]].  However, the difference is that the builders of the Tower wanted to actually be like [[God]] by invading the heavens, while the builders of the Cathedral wanted to be close to God.

'''4.'''I like Gothic architecture.  I have actually been to Chartres Cathedral, and the majority of the walls are intricate and colorful stained glass.  The ceilings are high and the interior is colorful and bright.  I find it interesting that the builders of these great churches were attempting to reach or emulate [[Heaven]]- at first it sounds like the evil [[Tower of Babel]].  However, the difference is that the builders of the Tower wanted to actually be like [[God]] by invading the heavens, while the builders of the Cathedral wanted to be close to God.

5.The Kingdom of Aksum, based in [[Ethiopia]], lasted several hundred years from the early 300s to the 700s, when it was taken over by [[Muslim]] invaders.  It was the first [[African]] kingdom to issue coinage, and the coins contained both Greek and Ge’ez text.  They traded with [[India]] and Rome.  The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, related to the Church founded by Ezrana, the greatest ruler of the Kingdom, was derived from the Kingdom.  One church belonging to the Orthodox Church, Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, purports to house the [[Ark of the Covenant]].

'''5.'''The Kingdom of Aksum, based in [[Ethiopia]], lasted several hundred years from the early 300s to the 700s, when it was taken over by [[Muslim]] invaders.  It was the first [[African]] kingdom to issue coinage, and the coins contained both Greek and Ge’ez text.  They traded with [[India]] and Rome.  The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, related to the Church founded by Ezrana, the greatest ruler of the Kingdom, was derived from the Kingdom.  One church belonging to the Orthodox Church, Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, purports to house the [[Ark of the Covenant]].

6.My favorite aspect of scholasticism is that it accomplished two good things at the same time: it increased awareness of the old Greek [[philosophy]], thus helping to set the stage for the Renaissance, and it used logic to back up [[faith]], showing, if anything, that Christian faith is actually [[logic]]al.

'''6.'''My favorite aspect of scholasticism is that it accomplished two good things at the same time: it increased awareness of the old Greek [[philosophy]], thus helping to set the stage for the Renaissance, and it used logic to back up [[faith]], showing, if anything, that Christian faith is actually [[logic]]al.

7.The greatest effect of the [[Crusades]] was (and there are actually many little effects) to greatly change the [[Culture|cultural]] and [[political]] structure of [[Europe]].  The First Crusade made it easier for Christians to travel to the Holy Land, and the knights and other Crusaders brought back ideas and products from the Near East.  This made Europe more curious about the East, and trade increased.  The many knights and nobleman killed in the Crusades directly weakened [[feudalism]], which required noblemen to oversee, and knights to defend, all the different estates.  The Crusades also re-invigorated many Christians in their faith.

'''7.'''The greatest effect of the [[Crusades]] was (and there are actually many little effects) to greatly change the [[Culture|cultural]] and [[political]] structure of [[Europe]].  The First Crusade made it easier for Christians to travel to the Holy Land, and the knights and other Crusaders brought back ideas and products from the Near East.  This made Europe more curious about the East, and trade increased.  The many knights and nobleman killed in the Crusades directly weakened [[feudalism]], which required noblemen to oversee, and knights to defend, all the different estates.  The Crusades also re-invigorated many Christians in their faith.

'''Honors'''

'''Honors'''

1.The best argument for the existence of God I know is the first mover argument, an cosmological argument. (I like to state it like this:)

'''1.'''The best argument for the existence of God I know is the first mover argument, an cosmological argument. (I like to state it like this:)

*It makes no sense that the universe is infinite- it confounds logic and some scientific theories to think that the universe had no beginning.

*It makes no sense that the universe is infinite- it confounds logic and some scientific theories to think that the universe had no beginning.

*'''Thus, God is not bound by causality, and God is eternal and ultimate existence.  Causality is an attribute of creation, as are the laws of science.  To insist that God is bound by the need to have a beginning is no more correct than to claim that God must be bound by the law of gravity.'''     

*'''Thus, God is not bound by causality, and God is eternal and ultimate existence.  Causality is an attribute of creation, as are the laws of science.  To insist that God is bound by the need to have a beginning is no more correct than to claim that God must be bound by the law of gravity.'''     

4.Once my friend and I were saying that we’re ready right now to live life.  Of course our parents said that all teenagers believe that, and that we don’t know anything yet.  But I do think that the [[Public school|educational system]] in our country keeps people in school too long, without teaching them practical skills.  Maybe grade school and early [[high school]] should be more substantive, and late high school can teach a mixture of high education and practical skills, like investing and how to pay [[taxes]].  Then, by 18, you’re ready to live and work.  I do think that it is possible for teenagers to accomplish great things, and that it should be encouraged.

'''4.'''Once my friend and I were saying that we’re ready right now to live life.  Of course our parents said that all teenagers believe that, and that we don’t know anything yet.  But I do think that the [[Public school|educational system]] in our country keeps people in school too long, without teaching them practical skills.  Maybe grade school and early [[high school]] should be more substantive, and late high school can teach a mixture of high education and practical skills, like investing and how to pay [[taxes]].  Then, by 18, you’re ready to live and work.  I do think that it is possible for teenagers to accomplish great things, and that it should be encouraged.

Then again, it’s happening now.  Look at the charity work done by 16 year old teenage star [[Miley Cyrus]], or the speech made by 14 year old homeschooler [[Jonathan Krohn]], who spoke at Conservative Political Action Committee, or 17 year old Savannah Walters, who founded [[Pump 'Em Up]], an organization that helps keep tires inflated to save money and fuel. Or look at all the young people who were genuinely excited to vote and be part of a political campaign last November. There are plenty of teenagers who can and would excel if given real oppurtunity.  

Then again, it’s happening now.  Look at the charity work done by 16 year old teenage star [[Miley Cyrus]], or the speech made by 14 year old homeschooler [[Jonathan Krohn]], who spoke at Conservative Political Action Committee, or 17 year old Savannah Walters, who founded [[Pump 'Em Up]], an organization that helps keep tires inflated to save money and fuel. Or look at all the young people who were genuinely excited to vote and be part of a political campaign last November. There are plenty of teenagers who can and would excel if given real oppurtunity.  

   

   

5.The basic idea behind the Crusades was not a bad one.  It is true that Muslims forcibly took over the Holy Land, and sometimes persecuted non-Muslim religious pilgrims.  This situation was not right or just, and so the Christian mission of freeing the Holy Land was good.  The military operation itself accomplished this worthy goal.  But this is not to say that it was perfect.  While the objective was not to ransack cities or kill civilians, there were no doubt members of the army who did just that, with no regard to the official Christian mission, which itself was right.  

'''5.'''The basic idea behind the Crusades was not a bad one.  It is true that Muslims forcibly took over the Holy Land, and sometimes persecuted non-Muslim religious pilgrims.  This situation was not right or just, and so the Christian mission of freeing the Holy Land was good.  The military operation itself accomplished this worthy goal.  But this is not to say that it was perfect.  While the objective was not to ransack cities or kill civilians, there were no doubt members of the army who did just that, with no regard to the official Christian mission, which itself was right.  

[[Category:World History lectures]]

[[Category:World History lectures]]