Cao, JasminAP Euro period 28/10/2013

A History of the Modern World: Chapter 1The Rise of Europe

Questions and Answers:Preface and a Few Words on Geography 1. What relationship may be noted between the study of geography and the study of history?The relationship between the study of geography and the study of history is very immediate and consanguineous. History is an account or record of the things that took place in an area over a certain amount of time. On the other hand, geography describes the setting, location, and the environment where history is occurring. History cannot exist without geography underlying it nor could geography prevail without history taking place. They are analogous terms that are corresponding, similar, and alike.

2. Explain the significance in European history of the Mediterranean Sea, the European mountain systems, the European rivers, and the climate in Europe.

a) The first civilization of Europe had begun on the island of Crete, an island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. This small island became a very populated area during the medieval times, for it gave people immediate access to bodies of water and also improved navigation among different populations. This ameliorated the immigration from one historic empire to another. Not long after, the Suez Canal was built on the British Empire and soon became the lifeline of the empire. b) A series of mountain systems were located in southern Europe. These mountains were north of the Mediterranean, thus reducing the availability of water and transportation. However, on the north of the European mountains, were a continuity of sea level plains that created an opening for invasions and attacks. These attacks were often from Mongolian tribes, who opened a route for Russians to build an empire on the east. This made Poland a troubled intermediary between Western Europe and the Russians.c) Rivers were an essential part in establishment of colonies. The European rivers made transportation and navigation easier especially in the north European plains. Many old cities such as Paris, Vienna, and Warsaw are located on rivers. Moving goods from one river to another led to the development of canals. d) Natural disasters were common in Europe. There were also numbers of causes, such as rainfall, ground water, deposits left by retreating glaciers, the character of the underlying rock, and the alternate freezing and thawing. These causes led to the development of fertile soil in Europe. The climate in Europe was within the temperate zone, a region of difference between winter and summer. Also, climate is something that depends on various conditions. For example, latitude, ocean currents, and winds. Warm summers led to an annual cycle of agriculture and severe winters that were cold enough to keep out certain diseases. Because of the favorable conditions in climate and agriculture, Europe became very populated. Ever since the end of the Ice Ages, when people began to learn how to survive in excessive winters, Europe was of high population. However, climate can also change.

Section 1: Ancient Times1. What justification is there for a history of the modern world to concentrate on the history of Europe?

To understand the history of the modern world, we must go back in time and comprehend history during the European Middle Ages, for that was where it had made its first appearance. Because Europe has made the greatest impact on the modern world today, we must first grasp the details to how it has become the worlds most powerful country during the medieval times. A history of the modern world had begun when Europe first started to develop some of the traits and characteristics it has today. Europe started to ascend and conquer its neighboring countries about 300 years ago. It was able to successfully defeat America, Africa, Asia, and other continents by developing a powerful political, military, economic, technological, and scientific apparatus that the world has ever seen. Many scientific discoveries were made and people gained knowledge. Over the past centuries, Europe has become a great impact on other continents and it has also influenced many cultures in those continents.

2. For what major contributions are the Greeks remembered? The Romans?

The Greeks were mainly remembered for creating myths, politics, democracy, building of small city-states, and classical virtues. Iliad and Odyssey refer to wars between the Greeks and other civilizations around 1200 B.C. The Greeks were, at that time, considered a gods gift. They were considered the most intelligent and brilliant humans alive on earth. For example, they made their own communication system and also learned how to read letters. Greek culture spread very quickly. Democracy was very popular in Greece. Nearby countries admired the Greeks and often tried to imitate them in their ways of living. The Greeks also excelled in geography, medicine, and as well. Greeks scientists discovered treatments and cures for diseases, made new discoveries and even predicted the location of the moon! Then, however, the Romans conquered the Greeks. The Romans kept their own Latin language, despite conquering the Greeks. The Romans had a strong army. They continuously conquered lands such as Egypt, Asia Minor, and Syria. Rome also had a uniform civilization, which meant that they had no specific religion or nationalities. Cities were common and busy commercial life had a great impact on the social lives of Roman citizens. Justice was very important in Rome. Roman law ruled the population. It favored the state rather than the freedom of a person. 3. Why was the coming of Christianity so important in the development of European civilization?

The coming of Christianity was important in the development of European civilization because it was the most influential religion during the medieval times when majority were poor. The Christian teaching spread at first among the poorwho had the least to delight in or hope for in the existing world. Christianity was a religion that gave hope the poor, which majority were Jews. It enlightened the human soul and taught people ways to live life properly. Christians believed in the teachings of God and that every human being is made equal. Suffering was considered to be divine and sacred, for God had died on the Cross in his human form. They worked to relieve suffering. For example, the Christians protested against many wrong doings such as the massacre of POW, mistreatment of slaves, and the issue of killing gladiators. However, because of their strong religion and political ideas, they were often killed and persecuted by others.

Section 2: Early Middle Ages

1. What factors contributed to the decline and breakup of the Roman Empire?

Rome declined especially in the West. The main cause of Romes fall was neighboring attacks from the Barbarians, Saxons, Angles, Vandals, and the Goths. Most Barbarians were Germanic. There were also enemies in northern Britain, central Europe, Asia Minor, and in the desert. The empire soon broke into two halves and became unbalanced. In 476 B.C., the barbarians, led by their leader Attila, disposed the last Roman emperor. These minor attacks from neighboring countries led to the fall of the great Roman Empire during the early middle ages.

2. Why could Western Europe be said to be in the dark ages for a period of time after about A.D. 500? What role did the Christian church play at this time?

Western Europe was said to be in the dark ages for a period of time after about A.D. 500 because of Romes fall. The decline of the Roman Empire had an overwhelming effect on the rest of Europe, especially the West. There were also many invasions, followed by threats to the empire from other countries. Arabs had conquered Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egypt by 640 AD. Continuous attacks from the Germans drove Western Europe to chaos. However, Christianity began to spread again. Soon, the church took over the empire. Christian churches helped created a world of quiet and peace. The Churches also took over government and public affairs of the city, due to the fact that there was no longer an emperor ruling the empire.

3. In what sense was Europe assuming some of its modern political form by 1000 A.D.

Europe was assuming some of its modern political form by the 11th century, due to the development of new towns rose, population growth, and many other changes. There were rapid progresses in nonreligious movements. There were also more planting of food due to the rapid population growth and agricultural changes that were taking place. Laborsaving devices were invented during the 11th century. Better was of using land was introduced, such as the three-field system. Due to the severe population growth in Europe, groups of people became less isolated from one another. This improved communication and social interactions among people. All of these little accomplishments during the 11th century led to the modern world of Europe that we know today.

Section 3: High Middle Ages

1. What sweeping changes in the 11th century enabled Europe to pull itself out of the Dark Ages?

Many factors during the 11th century enabled the Europeans to improve their lives and living conditions. One of the main reasons to Europes success was a population increase. Due to a series of developments in agriculture and farming techniques, the population expanded greatly. For example: a wheeled plow was developed and the use of horses for agriculture and traveling great distances. The wheeled plow was able to successfully plow the rich and heavy soil of the north. This saved work for the farmers and peasants. People started to grow many new different kinds of plants such as oats and legumes. The use of horses improved nutrition and traveling.

2. How would you define feudalism? What were its origins?

Feudalism would be defined as the sharing of power between the government and the state or the means of carrying a local government with no organized state existing. It originated and started to spread during the rule of Charlemagne. Feudalism was developed so that an organized state wouldnt be necessary to carry on a government on a local level. In feudalism, the Lord protected the vassals and assured him justice and firm tenure of his land. Also, the vassals would agree to serve as fighting man for certain number of days in the year. Feudalism spread rapidly. With feudalism, there was more civil peace and personal security in Europe. However, England never fully developed feudalism because it applied only to the military or the noble class.

3. Explain the role of commerce and of the towns in the High Middle Ages. What effects did each have on the rural countryside?Silks, cottons, spices, gems, and other jewelry were rare during the 11th century. Merchants made a lot of money by selling these goods to citizens. These items were popular, especially in Roman towns. The towns were very populated and crowded. There, was busy trade, which satisfied the local needs of citizens. Commerce improved, as the economy of Rome improved. This led to the development of better living conditions of the rural countryside. Surprisingly, these towns were able to escape control from the government and the state. They also had their own law, courts, and judges. Many larger towns became small independent states. Trade was another important part of Rome. It provided the needs of townspeople.

4. Describe the growth in the High Middle Ages of royal power, royal councils, and parliaments.

The parliaments and monarchy took over Europe in the high Middle Ages. Because of this, many unfavorable acts were committed against citizens. For example, kings and other rulers gained complete control. They demanded for high taxes and used them mostly on the military. Because of this, citizens were starved and became poor to the extent that they could not afford food for survival. The Royal councils, royal powers, and parliaments wanted to collect money from the people as much as possible. They wanted to invest all of it into warfare. However, they did not know the consequence to their wrong doings. Peasants started to rebel, fight, and even started to cause a riot in cities. This led to the development of Magna Carta in 1215, which limited the power of monarchy. King John was forced into signing the document.

Section 4: High Middle Agesthe Church

1. What fundamental institutional changes took place in the church in the eleventh century before Gregory VII? Under Gregory VII? Under Innocent III?

Many institutional changes took place in the church before Gregory VII, under Gregory VII, and under Innocent III. Under Gregory VII, he discovered the papal supremacy during the 11th century. His main belief was the church. According to him and his teachings, the church should be apart from the rest of the world. It should also guide all human actions. Gregory VII wanted the church to influence and have a great impact on the lives of European citizens. He wanted clergies to advise and rule the churches. He saw the clergies as high-class people and wanted them to help him govern the people using the church. Because of this, Christians created or discovered new monasteries, which were ruled by clergies. Under innocent III, many kings from very different countries from all over the world were advised by him. The clergy was discussed during council meetings, that consists of bishops.

2. Describe the motives and results of the European crusades to the Holy Land and elsewhere.

The main motive of the crusades were to take back what was taken before to the Holy Land. The 1st crusade was preached in 1095 by Pope Urban the second, who had hoped to advance the peace of God by fighting off the nobles to fight infidels, people who did not believe in religion, and build up the strength and leadership of Rome. The Crusades lasted for almost 200 years. Many of the other crusades sometimes, lasted even longer. The Crusades stimulated the development of civilization in the West by bringing the East. Crusades were also a consequence of Europes own growing strength. In southern France, there was an Albiegensian crusade in the 13th century.

3. Describe the civilization of Europe by AD 1300. How might it be compared with the Arab world? The Chinese Empire of the same period?

The civilization of Europe by AD 1300 was capable of resistance against enemies and neighboring countries. It has developed a great culture. It was also successful in textile manufacturers, iron industry, and affluent merchant class. Art and sciences also excelled in Europe. The government also became more centralized and complex, compared to other countries. People began to use paper money and civil service was employed. Books were printed and society improved. Compared to the Arab world, Europe was more industrialized, complex, and centralized. It was no longer the small, disordered, and lacking country like before. Compared to China, Europe was more advanced and industrialized. For example, the Chinese invented printing, but the Europeans revolutionized printed books and the Chinese knew of gunpowder, but the Europeans developed more effective guns for battles.