Changes

[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

With this lecture we reach the second millennium, which began in A.D. 1001.  The first millennium, or first thousand years after the approximate birth of Christ, was from A.D. 1 through 1000.  The second millennium, or second thousand years, was from A.D. 1001 through 2000.  In our lifetimes we entered the third millennium, beginning in A.D. 2001.

With this lecture we reach the second millennium, which began in A.D. 1001.  The first millennium, or first thousand years after the approximate birth of Christ, was from A.D. 1 through 1000.  The second millennium, or second thousand years, was from A.D. 1001 through 2000.  We are now in the third millennium after Christ, beginning in A.D. 2001.

The first millennium began with Christ and Pax Romana, then saw the fall of the Roman empire followed by what historians call the Dark Ages.  There was the founding of Islam and the struggle for control of Europe and the Middle East.  There was the institution of feudalism, both in Christian Europe and non-Christian Japan.

The first millennium began with Christ and Pax Romana, then saw the fall of the Roman empire followed by what historians call the Dark Ages.  There was the founding of Islam and the struggle for control of Europe and the Middle East.  There was the institution of feudalism, both in Christian Europe and non-Christian Japan.

Most of all, the first millennium was defined by the rapid growth of Christianity, particularly in Eastern and Western Europe.  This growth brought growing pains:  heresies, which were successfully overcome, and then challenge by Islam in Western Europe, which Christianity overcame, and finally a massive split ("schism") between the Christian Church in the West and East that remains to this day (this was not the Reformation, which did not occur until much later).  

Most of all, the first millennium was defined by the rapid growth of Christianity, particularly in Eastern and Western Europe.  This expansion brought growing pains:  heresies, which were successfully overcome, and then challenges by Islam in Western Europe, which Christianity overcame, and finally a massive split ("schism") between the Christian Church in the West and East that remains to this day (this was not the Reformation, which did not occur until much later).  

We are now in the middle of the Middle Ages, around A.D. 1000.  Let us begin.

We are now in the middle of the Middle Ages, around A.D. 1000.  Let us begin.

==Crusades==

==Crusades==

'''The most famous military activity in the feudal period was the “Crusades”, a series of wars covering nearly 200 years, from A.D. 1096-1291.'''  The First Crusade was immensely successful.  To a lesser extent, the Third Crusade was also a success.  The other Crusades were not successful.

'''The most famous military activity during the feudal period was the “Crusades”, a series of wars covering nearly 200 years, from A.D. 1096-1291.'''  The First Crusade was immensely successful.  To a lesser extent, the Third Crusade was also a success.  The other Crusades were not successful.

The primary motivation of the Crusades was to make Jerusalem safe for Christian pilgrimages.  Fed up with reports of the murdering of defenseless Christian pilgrims, in 1095 Pope Urban II called for feudal knights to retake the Holy Land from the Seljuk Turks.  At the time the Seljuk Turks were considered to be invincible fighters, having conquered Asia Minor and even defeating the once-mighty Byzantine empire.  Even now, as proven in wars such as the Korean War, Turkish soldiers are known to be incredibly tough and tenacious.  The communist torture and brainwashing of Western forces in the Korean War broke soldiers from every nation, including the United States, but had little effect on the Turkish soldiers, who have always been extremely tough mentally.

The primary motivation of the Crusades was to make Jerusalem safe for Christian pilgrimages.  Fed up with reports of the murdering of defenseless Christian pilgrims, in 1095 Pope Urban II called for feudal knights to retake the Holy Land from the Seljuk Turks.  At the time the Seljuk Turks were considered to be invincible fighters, having conquered Asia Minor and even defeating the once-mighty Byzantine empire.  Even now, as proven in wars such as the Korean War, Turkish soldiers are known to be incredibly tough and tenacious.  The communist torture and brainwashing of Western forces in the Korean War broke soldiers from every nation, including the United States, but had little effect on the Turkish soldiers, who have always been extremely tough mentally.

The Seljuk Turks defeated all opponents, ruling from the 1000s to the 1200s.  They did particularly well under their ruler Malik Shah, who died in 1092.  But some Muslims were unhappy with being ruled by the Turks, and once Malik died dissension in the Islamic world grew.

The Seljuk Turks defeated all opponents, ruling from the 1000s to the 1200s.  They did particularly well under their ruler Malik Shah, who died in 1092.  But some Muslims were unhappy with being ruled by the Turks, and once Malik died dissension in the Islamic world grew.

The Byzantine emperor, Alexius Comnenus, had been repeatedly defeated by the Seljuk Turks and he asked the pope for help to defeat the Muslims.  He promised a reunion of the Eastern Orthodox Church and to transfer Byzantine lands (“fiefs”) to victorious knights from feudal Western Europe.

The Byzantine emperor, Alexius Comnenus, had been repeatedly defeated by the Seljuk Turks and he asked the pope for help to defeat the Muslims.  He promised a reunion of the Eastern Orthodox Church with the Roman Catholic Church, and to transfer Byzantine lands (“fiefs”) to victorious knights from feudal Western Europe.

At the Council at Clermont in southern France, Pope Urban II gave one of the greatest speeches in history.  Promising absolution and assurance of salvation to anyone who died in a crusade for the Holy Land, he urged a huge crowd to protect Christian pilgrims from the Turks.  He demanded that all internal feuds end in the West and he threatened excommunication (expulsion from the Catholic Church) for anyone who continued to bicker internally.  Those who decided to fight in the crusades were said to be “taking up the cross,” because many wore a tunic with a large red cross on it.

At the Council at Clermont in southern France, Pope Urban II gave one of the greatest speeches in history.  Promising absolution and assurance of salvation to anyone who died in a crusade for the Holy Land, he urged a huge crowd to protect Christian pilgrims from the Turks.  He demanded that all internal feuds end in the West and he threatened excommunication (expulsion from the Catholic Church) for anyone who continued to bicker internally.  Those who decided to fight in the crusades were said to be “taking up the cross,” because many wore a tunic with a large red cross on it.

Asia and Eastern Europe suffered the scourge of vicious fighters known as the Mongols.  Japan was very fortunate in one key respect:  it is an island enjoying the protections of water against invaders like the Mongols.   

Asia and Eastern Europe suffered the scourge of vicious fighters known as the Mongols.  Japan was very fortunate in one key respect:  it is an island enjoying the protections of water against invaders like the Mongols.   

The Mongol tribe came from Mongolia, which is northwest of China in central Asia.  They were skilled warriors and expert horsemen, capable of riding for days without any difficulty.  They would pitch tents as needed and they would roam throughout Asia, destroying anything that stood in their way.  They were known for their savagery and were poor administrators of the lands they conquered.

The Mongol tribe came from Mongolia, which is northwest of China in central Asia.  They were skilled warriors and expert horsemen, capable of riding for days without any difficulty.  They would pitch tents as needed and they would roam throughout Asia, destroying anything that stood in their way.  They were known for their savagery and were not good at managing the lands they conquered.

'''The founder of the Mongol empire was Chinggis (Genghis) Khan (1162-1227), who united the Mongol tribes.'''  He dreamed of creating the biggest empire in world history, and he did exactly that.  To accomplish his goal, he built a massive and powerful army based on meritocracy (promotion based on merit rather than friendship or seniority).   

'''The founder of the Mongol empire was Chinggis (Genghis) Khan (1162-1227), who united the Mongol tribes.'''  He dreamed of creating the biggest empire in world history, and he did exactly that.  To accomplish his goal, he built a massive and powerful army based on meritocracy (promotion based on merit rather than friendship or seniority).   

Chinggis Khan led the Mongols from 1206 to 1227.  Historians consider him to have been a military genius, and '''he conquered the largest contiguous empire in the history of the entire world'''.   

Chinggis (Genghis) Khan led the Mongols from 1206 to 1227.  Historians consider him to have been a military genius, and '''he conquered the largest contiguous empire in the history of the entire world'''.   

In all of history, only the Mongols were able to invade Russia successfully in the wintertime.  The Mongols conquered Russia in 1237, and ruled over it for nearly 250 years, until 1480.  This caused isolation of the Russians from Europe, thereby creating a distrust of Europeans (and Americans) that exists to this day.  Russia suffered economically and intellectually from the Mongol rule, and its citizens were subjected to the status of peasants who could act only as serfs for their protectors among the Russian ruling class.  Taxes were imposed for the benefit of the Mongols.  Prince Alexander Nevsky, based on his cooperation with the Mongols, became the first prince of Moscow and all of Russia.  The tributes by the Russians to the Mongols did not end until Ivan III of Moscow refused to pay tribute in 1480.  By then the Mongols were too weak to do anything about it.

In all of history, only the Mongols were able to invade Russia successfully in the wintertime.  The Mongols conquered Russia in 1237, and ruled over it for nearly 250 years, until 1480.  This caused isolation of the Russians from Europe, thereby creating a distrust of Europeans (and Americans) that persists to this day.  Russia suffered economically and intellectually from the Mongol rule, and its citizens were subjected to the status of peasants who could act only as serfs for their protectors among the Russian ruling class.  Taxes were imposed for the benefit of the Mongols.  Prince Alexander Nevsky, based on his cooperation with the Mongols, became the first prince of Moscow and all of Russia.  The tributes by the Russians to the Mongols did not end until Ivan III of Moscow refused to pay tribute in 1480.  By then the Mongols were too weak to do anything about it.

In 1231, the Mongols invaded Persia and killed hundreds of thousands of people.  In 1258, the Mongols defeated the Muslims in Baghdad, located in modern-day Iraq.  The Mongols spared Christians in the city but killed the Muslim caliph Abbasid.  Only later did the Mongols themselves convert to Islam.

In 1231, the Mongols invaded Persia and killed hundreds of thousands of people.  In 1258, the Mongols defeated the Muslims in Baghdad, located in modern-day Iraq.  The Mongols spared Christians in the city but killed the Muslim caliph Abbasid.  Only later did the Mongols themselves convert to Islam.

Attempts were made in Germany to form a nation-state, beginning with Otto I “the Great.”  Otto ruled from 936-973, allied himself with the pope and attempted to establish a “Holy Roman Empire.”  His efforts did not succeed in uniting Germany as one nation, however.   

Attempts were made in Germany to form a nation-state, beginning with Otto I “the Great.”  Otto ruled from 936-973, allied himself with the pope and attempted to establish a “Holy Roman Empire.”  His efforts did not succeed in uniting Germany as one nation, however.   

Likewise, in Italy, a unified nation failed to emerge.  Instead many city-states fought bitterly amongst each other, infighting that continued for centuries.

Likewise, in Italy, a unified nation failed to emerge.  Instead many city-states fought bitterly among each other, infighting that continued for centuries.

===Another "Great Schism"===

===Another "Great Schism"===

While nation-states were rising, particularly in England and France, and as kings were gaining more and more authority, controversy arose over who held supreme authority: the pope or the king.  “The Great Schism” occurred in 1378-1417, which is not to be confused with the split between the West and East centuries earlier.  This schism was an internal dispute within the Catholic Church resulting in French cardinals electing an “antipope” (Clement VII) in order to dispute the authority of the recently elected Pope Urban VI.  This and other controversies within the Catholic Church set the stage for the Protestant Reformation about 100 years later.

While nation-states were rising, particularly in England and France, and as kings were gaining more and more authority, controversy arose over who held supreme authority: the pope or the king.  Another “Great Schism” occurred in 1378-1417, which is not to be confused with the split between the West and East centuries earlier.  This schism was an internal dispute within the Catholic Church resulting in French cardinals electing an “antipope” (Clement VII) in order to dispute the authority of the recently elected Pope Urban VI.  This and other controversies within the Catholic Church set the stage for the Protestant Reformation about 100 years later.

===Hundred Years' War===

===Hundred Years' War===