Palmer Disscussian Flashcards
In what sense were the 5th-8th centuries “dark?”
Trade died down, cities became desolate, money went out of circulation, almost nothing was bought or sold.
Roman roads fell into neglect.
Little cultural or scientific advancement.
Lack of strong government and frequent invasions led to chaos and civilian suffering
Decline in trade and cultural diffusion, resulting in less busy cities and isolation from the Mediterranean.
How did the Catholic Church offer relief from the Dark Ages of the 5th-8th centuries?
The only organized institution that maintained a tie with the civilized past, and reached over the whole West. It could receive or dispatch its agents over the whole area.
Why were monasteries important? Why was the Catholic Church attractive and important?
They rejected savagery about men and women and retired into civilizations of their own.
Place of peace and quiet.
Formed unifying filaments throughout the chaos of the Latin West
Only intellectual power in Europe.
What was the German contribution to Europe?
Cooperation of kings with the Pope, preservation of intricate folklore, and basic knowledge of Rome.
They laid infrastructure
How does Charlemagne represent the “start of Europe?
Revival of studies and writing, creation of new coins using silver, and restoration of the Roman Empire
Dispatched embassies, more reliable coinage, alphabet
How did the Church and the Franks develop a symbiotic relationship? How was political legitimacy established? Why was Charlemagne important?
Franks protected the Pope and gained support, established a new capital in Aachen, and facilitated the conversion of people to Christianity.
Franks protected the Pope and in return they won papal support to their side.
Allowed them to control their bishops.
The Pope crowned Charlemange as emperor of the west.
What is Caesaropapism and why did it not develop in Western Europe?
Caesaropapism, a political system where the leader is also the spiritual leader, did not develop in Western Europe due to less political authority, allowing the church to be more independent
What is the significance of Great Schism?
The Great Schism signified the refusal to agree with bishops and political ideas between East and West, leading to their independence from each other
what is Manorialism?
Manorialism is the economic and social structure of medieval Europe which rendered peasants dependent on both their lord and their land
In what sense could you say that Europe’s rise began with an Agricultural Revolution?
Agricultural revolution led to more efficient farming techniques, decreased importance of slavery, and increased food supply through organized agriculture and new sources of power
Humans changing from being hunter-gatherers to farmers and herders
How did the “feudal system” fill the void left by the lack of a central government?
Filled the void left by the lack of a central government through the distribution of power among counts and the lord-vassal relationship.
What was Feudalism and how was it like the game of chess?
Feudalism was a system in which people were given land and protection by people of higher rank, and worked and fought for them in return
Similar to the game of chess where kings/lords rely on less powerful pawns to win, illustrating the distribution of power.
What privileges did towns gain in the High Middle Ages? Why did these matter?
Towns gained independence, personal freedom, safe communities, and different guilds, which were crucial for their development.
How did National Monarchies develop with the growth of towns?
Commercial activities and trade expanded, and a group of middle-class merchants emerged.
The growth of towns led to the decline of feudalism and the rise of national monarchies.
