Middle Ages - Outline 5 Flashcards
What were some of the key characteristics of the early middle ages?
Trade was limited; decentralized government; agriculture was inefficient; cultural social isolation; famine; terrible ling conditions; lack of community
What were some of the key characteristics of the high middle ages?
Rise in European monarchs; Centralized governments; better farming - crops had surplus and this led to a growth in population; towns and cities began to reappear; rise of the nation-states; power continues to be in the hands of the Catholic Church
What was the overall change from the early to high middle ages?
Change in religon, politics, society, and economics
What are the Crusades?
Crusades (“cross”); Holy wars over the city of Jerusalem; Christians plan a series of 9 military expeditions to retake the holy city from the muslims; fighters were called CRUSADERS; MAIN POINT OF CRUSADES - a mixture of religion, war, and politics; Important source of moving this time out of the middle ages;
Why was Jerusalem considered a holy city and what significance does it have to those fighting in the crusades?
Each religion group wanted to take hold of the city as each had a significant tie to it; Christians - Jesus was crucified/resurrected in Jerusalem; Jews - (Zion=Jerusalem); Muslims - Mohammad descended to heaven from Jerusalem
Who promoted the first crusade and how did they do so?
Pope Urban II; The pope was contacted by the leader of the Byzantine Empire leader (Alexius I) and asked to control the muslims; The pope proceeds to give a long and emotional speech at Clearmount asking for volunteers form nobles and peasant to fight in the war; The pope promised immediate salvation in heaven if they were killed freeing the holy land from non christians
Pope Urban II shouted an continually reiterated “Dues Vult”, what does this mean?
God Wills it!
What significance did the Crusades have for the knights?
It was a happy chance for them to showcase their fighting skills
What significance did the Crusades have for the peasants?
Fighting gave peasants freedom from feudal bonds - they were no longer tied to the land as long as they were in war
What were the results of the first crusade?
30,000+ people estimated to have fought; ‘Success’ by 1099 A.D.; Reinforced the authority of the Catholic church; strengthened the self confidence of western European Christians
What were the results of the 2nd Crusade?
Louis VII and Conrad III constantly fought and caused this crusade to FAIL
What were the results of the 3rd Crusade?
FAIL; “Crusade of Kings”
What were the results of the 4th Crusade?
FAIL; Crusaders were fighting for their personal wealth rather than religious purposes at this point
What was the Children’s Crusade?
Children 8-18 were sent for jerusalem, in hopes God would see their weakness and give them strength
What were the MAJOR results from the Crusades?
Holy land was NOT freed from the Muslims; Feudalism was further broken down; Classical texts were brought back to the west; European cites gained power (Trading); Technologies improved; Serfs could buy their freedoms; Stronger Military; Re-emergence of civilization
