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World History – Middle Ages

World History – Middle Ages

'''I. Introduction to the Middle Ages'''

==Introduction to the Middle Ages==

The “Middle Ages” is the period from the fall of the western Roman empire to the intellectual and cultural revival known as the “Renaissance”.  As a rough approximation, the dates of the Middle Ages are from A.D. 500 to 1500, even though the Renaissance really began hundreds of years earlier than 1500 and Rome fell before 500.  

The “Middle Ages” is the period from the fall of the western Roman empire to the intellectual and cultural revival known as the “Renaissance”.  As a rough approximation, the dates of the Middle Ages are from A.D. 500 to 1500, even though the Renaissance really began hundreds of years earlier than 1500 and Rome fell before 500.  

But before we reach those topics, there is something else of enormous importance that happened in the early part of the Middle Ages:  Islam began.  It attracted Arabs at first, and then spread as far away as Spain in the West and Southeast Asia in the East.  Islam may even surpass Christianity as the world’s most popular religion in the 21st century, despite Christianity being nearly 50% older than Islam.

But before we reach those topics, there is something else of enormous importance that happened in the early part of the Middle Ages:  Islam began.  It attracted Arabs at first, and then spread as far away as Spain in the West and Southeast Asia in the East.  Islam may even surpass Christianity as the world’s most popular religion in the 21st century, despite Christianity being nearly 50% older than Islam.

'''II. The Rise of Islam'''

==The Rise of Islam==

There is only one major world religion that developed after Jesus Christ:  Islam.  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

There is only one major world religion that developed after Jesus Christ:  Islam.  But it has gained more adherents and conquered more countries in the past 1300 years than any other non-Christian religion.  The religion of Islam is one of the most important aspects of World History, and its importance is growing.

On Election Day in early November 2006, Keith Ellison is expected to become the first Muslim ever elected to the United States Congress.  He’s from Minnesota, where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  The Detroit, Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

On Election Day in early November 2006, Keith Ellison is expected to become the first Muslim ever elected to the United States Congress.  He’s from Minnesota, where there is a strong Muslim neighborhood.  The Detroit, Michigan area has the largest settlement of Muslims in America.  In France the growing Muslim population is very influential and Christianity has greatly declined there.   

'''Contributions of Islam to Society'''

===Contributions of Islam to Society===

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to western Europe and Muslims established universities when much of western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of Ibn Sina (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote “Canon of the Medicine,” a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is strikingly beautiful.  Islamic religion strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, which contributes to the distinguishing geometric characteristics of Muslim architecture.  Omar Khayyam lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and was brilliant in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Muslim countries helped facilitate trade between Asia and Europe.  Muslims also transmitted Indian mathematical discoveries to western Europe and Muslims established universities when much of western Europe was declining.  Islamic learning included the works of Ibn Sina (980-1037 A.D.) who wrote “Canon of the Medicine,” a book describing many infectious diseases and their causes, during the Golden Age of Islam.  Islamic architecture, as represented in mosques, is strikingly beautiful.  Islamic religion strictly prohibits artists from depicting the human form, which contributes to the distinguishing geometric characteristics of Muslim architecture.  Omar Khayyam lived in Persia, was tutored by a sheik, was probably Islamic, and was brilliant in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and especially literature, writing a famous collection of poems entitled the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Islamic values are typically more conservative on matters of morality than many countries that are traditionally Christian.  The Arabic language originally came from Hebrew and has spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include “algebra”, “cipher”, “coffee” and “sugar”.   

Islamic values are typically more conservative on matters of morality than many countries that are traditionally Christian.  The Arabic language originally came from Hebrew and has spread with Islam to be the language of nearly 200 million persons today, and has given many words to the English language.  Examples include “algebra”, “cipher”, “coffee” and “sugar”.   

'''III. Russians, Slavs and Turks'''

==Russians, Slavs and Turks==

Russia today is by far the largest country in the world by land mass, having almost twice the area of the second-largest country (Canada).  Russia currently has the world’s eighth largest population, ranking behind number one China, number two India, number three United States, and several other Asian countries and Brazil.

Russia today is by far the largest country in the world by land mass, having almost twice the area of the second-largest country (Canada).  Russia currently has the world’s eighth largest population, ranking behind number one China, number two India, number three United States, and several other Asian countries and Brazil.

It was the occupation of Jerusalem by the Sunni Seljuk Turks that later led to the Crusades to recapture Jerusalem for Christianity, which we will discuss in the next class.

It was the occupation of Jerusalem by the Sunni Seljuk Turks that later led to the Crusades to recapture Jerusalem for Christianity, which we will discuss in the next class.

'''IV. Western Europe in the early Middle Ages'''

==Western Europe in the early Middle Ages==

After the Roman empire fell in the A.D. 400s there was the possibility that all of the achievements of the classical civilizations, including much of their knowledge, would be lost.  Who would preserve the geometry discoveries of Euclid, or the philosophical advances of Plato and Aristotle?  Who would maintain copies of the Gospels to preserve the teachings of Jesus?  Who would safeguard history books?

After the Roman empire fell in the A.D. 400s there was the possibility that all of the achievements of the classical civilizations, including much of their knowledge, would be lost.  Who would preserve the geometry discoveries of Euclid, or the philosophical advances of Plato and Aristotle?  Who would maintain copies of the Gospels to preserve the teachings of Jesus?  Who would safeguard history books?

The period from the 5th to the 8th century (A.D. 400s through 700s) is known as the “Dark Ages” in western Europe.  Everything seemed to decline and nothing outstanding seemed to emerge.  Rome was sacked (invaded and looted) three times during this period, for example.  Barbaric tribes terrorized everyone.  The culture and economy declined.  Roads and waterways fell into disrepair.  The western world was at risk of losing all its knowledge and advances.

The period from the 5th to the 8th century (A.D. 400s through 700s) is known as the “Dark Ages” in western Europe.  Everything seemed to decline and nothing outstanding seemed to emerge.  Rome was sacked (invaded and looted) three times during this period, for example.  Barbaric tribes terrorized everyone.  The culture and economy declined.  Roads and waterways fell into disrepair.  The western world was at risk of losing all its knowledge and advances.

'''A. Monasteries'''

===Monasteries===

Historians credit Christian monasteries for preserving culture and knowledge during these “dark” times.  The monasteries were communities of monks, usually male, who had committed the rest of their lives to God.  They often moved apart so that they could be by themselves and pray many times a day.  While not praying, the monks would read and write and teach, and they preserved the knowledge and history that might otherwise have been lost.

Historians credit Christian monasteries for preserving culture and knowledge during these “dark” times.  The monasteries were communities of monks, usually male, who had committed the rest of their lives to God.  They often moved apart so that they could be by themselves and pray many times a day.  While not praying, the monks would read and write and teach, and they preserved the knowledge and history that might otherwise have been lost.

Monasteries continue to exist to this day.  There is a Benedictine monastery only fifteen minutes away from our classroom in Morristown, New Jersey, known as “Delbarton”.  These monks still abide by the same Rule that St. Benedict established in A.D. 520.

Monasteries continue to exist to this day.  There is a Benedictine monastery only fifteen minutes away from our classroom in Morristown, New Jersey, known as “Delbarton”.  These monks still abide by the same Rule that St. Benedict established in A.D. 520.

'''B. Britain, King Arthur and the Anglo-Saxons'''

===Britain, King Arthur and the Anglo-Saxons===

As the Roman empire was collapsing in the A.D. 400s, it withdrew from Britain.  In the view of some, the legend of King Arthur dates to this time, when a hero named Ambrosius Aurelianus emerged for the British people.  But no one knows how much of the legend of King Arthur has a factual basis, if any.

As the Roman empire was collapsing in the A.D. 400s, it withdrew from Britain.  In the view of some, the legend of King Arthur dates to this time, when a hero named Ambrosius Aurelianus emerged for the British people.  But no one knows how much of the legend of King Arthur has a factual basis, if any.

Pope Gregory the Great send Augustine of Canterbury to convert Britain to Christianity in A.D. 596, and English monks and nuns helped that effort in the centuries that followed.   

Pope Gregory the Great send Augustine of Canterbury to convert Britain to Christianity in A.D. 596, and English monks and nuns helped that effort in the centuries that followed.   

'''C. Charlemagne and the Carolingian Court'''

===Charlemagne and the Carolingian Court===

Small Germanic kingdoms dominated western Europe after the fall of the Roman empire.  But Christianity continued to grow, and the Catholic Church based in Rome increased its power.  Bit by bit, person by person, the Germans were converted to become Catholics.  Clovis, the leader of a German group known as “Franks”, ruled over the important area of Gaul that corresponds to modern France and portions of its surroundings.  His wife Clotilda converted Clovis to Catholicism, and then Clovis converted his entire army too.  The pope then supported Clovis and he became even more powerful.  This was how the Roman Catholic Church interacted with military rulers.

Small Germanic kingdoms dominated western Europe after the fall of the Roman empire.  But Christianity continued to grow, and the Catholic Church based in Rome increased its power.  Bit by bit, person by person, the Germans were converted to become Catholics.  Clovis, the leader of a German group known as “Franks”, ruled over the important area of Gaul that corresponds to modern France and portions of its surroundings.  His wife Clotilda converted Clovis to Catholicism, and then Clovis converted his entire army too.  The pope then supported Clovis and he became even more powerful.  This was how the Roman Catholic Church interacted with military rulers.

The capital of the Carolingian empire was not Rome, but Aachen in what is now Germany.  Charlemagne’s son Louis “the Pious” held the empire together from 814-840, but when he died his three sons fought with each other.  They split the empire three ways in the Treaty of Verdun in 843.  Western Europe was just too vast and diverse for a single ruler, and a new system was needed.  That new system was feudalism.

The capital of the Carolingian empire was not Rome, but Aachen in what is now Germany.  Charlemagne’s son Louis “the Pious” held the empire together from 814-840, but when he died his three sons fought with each other.  They split the empire three ways in the Treaty of Verdun in 843.  Western Europe was just too vast and diverse for a single ruler, and a new system was needed.  That new system was feudalism.

'''D. Feudalism in Western Europe'''

===Feudalism in Western Europe===

The new system of government and economics for western Europe was feudalism, also known as manorialism.  The feudal system arose in the 8th century in the Frankish kingdom as a way to protect against foreign invasions, especially invasions by Vikings (“Danes”) from Scandinavia.  The Normans (descendants of Scandinavians and Franks from Normandy, France) brought feudalism to southern Italy and Sicily.  The Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 brought the feudal system to England, Scotland and Ireland.  Viking invasions lasted until the 10th century, by which time many Vikings had accepted Christianity and settled into civilizations of their own in northern Europe.  The end of the Viking raids enabled trade to increase in western Europe.

The new system of government and economics for western Europe was feudalism, also known as manorialism.  The feudal system arose in the 8th century in the Frankish kingdom as a way to protect against foreign invasions, especially invasions by Vikings (“Danes”) from Scandinavia.  The Normans (descendants of Scandinavians and Franks from Normandy, France) brought feudalism to southern Italy and Sicily.  The Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 brought the feudal system to England, Scotland and Ireland.  Viking invasions lasted until the 10th century, by which time many Vikings had accepted Christianity and settled into civilizations of their own in northern Europe.  The end of the Viking raids enabled trade to increase in western Europe.

Impact of Feudalism Today:  Our law of real property (land) is based on the feudal system.  Homes today are usually owned as a “fee” or “fee simple,” which is the concept developed by the feudal system to represent a grant of land to someone.  Also, the roots of our free enterprise economic system of private property are in feudalism.

Impact of Feudalism Today:  Our law of real property (land) is based on the feudal system.  Homes today are usually owned as a “fee” or “fee simple,” which is the concept developed by the feudal system to represent a grant of land to someone.  Also, the roots of our free enterprise economic system of private property are in feudalism.

'''V. Feudalism and Religion in Japan'''

==Feudalism and Religion in Japan==

On the other side of the world, in the “Far East,” Japan was independently developing a feudal system similar to that in western Europe.  The centralized system of Japan had weakened and declined just as it had in western Europe.  The reasons were different, however.  The Japanese culture always stressed self-discipline and military skills, and when combined with introduction of writing in the 5th century and Buddhism in the 6th century, there was little need for a centralized government.  In addition, the central government that did exist, which was known as the Heian court, lost credibility through its own extravagance and waste.

On the other side of the world, in the “Far East,” Japan was independently developing a feudal system similar to that in western Europe.  The centralized system of Japan had weakened and declined just as it had in western Europe.  The reasons were different, however.  The Japanese culture always stressed self-discipline and military skills, and when combined with introduction of writing in the 5th century and Buddhism in the 6th century, there was little need for a centralized government.  In addition, the central government that did exist, which was known as the Heian court, lost credibility through its own extravagance and waste.

Shinto has similarities to Buddhism, but there is major difference in Japan:  Shinto is a religion of life used for marriage, while Buddhism is a religion of death used for funerals.

Shinto has similarities to Buddhism, but there is major difference in Japan:  Shinto is a religion of life used for marriage, while Buddhism is a religion of death used for funerals.

'''VI. America'''

==America==

There were three noteworthy ancient American civilizations:  Teotihuacan (Mexico) in A.D. 100-900, Maya (modern-day Guatemala) in A.D. 300-900, and Moche A.D. 200-700.  They all engaged in human sacrifice, and practiced polytheistic religions—sharing a common belief in Quetzelcoatl (KWET-suhl-kuh-WA-tuhl), a god of the wind and air depicted as a feathered serpent.  The Aztec civilization, which came much later, also worshiped this god.  The Teotihuacan, Maya, and Moche civilizations also used a truncated pyramid similar to a ziggurat, entertainment by ball-playing, and reliance on corn as a crop.  They are known as “Pre-Columbian” because they predate the arrival to the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492.  Each of these civilizations is explained (along with proper pronunciations) below:

There were three noteworthy ancient American civilizations:  Teotihuacan (Mexico) in A.D. 100-900, Maya (modern-day Guatemala) in A.D. 300-900, and Moche A.D. 200-700.  They all engaged in human sacrifice, and practiced polytheistic religions—sharing a common belief in Quetzelcoatl (KWET-suhl-kuh-WA-tuhl), a god of the wind and air depicted as a feathered serpent.  The Aztec civilization, which came much later, also worshiped this god.  The Teotihuacan, Maya, and Moche civilizations also used a truncated pyramid similar to a ziggurat, entertainment by ball-playing, and reliance on corn as a crop.  They are known as “Pre-Columbian” because they predate the arrival to the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492.  Each of these civilizations is explained (along with proper pronunciations) below: