Western Civilization

Jillian Kurzmann 5/31/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we voted on if we are taking the test or not tomorrow. We are not taking the test. We also did questions from the textbook.

Jillian Kurzmann 5/30/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Mr. Schick was absent. We took notes on a powerpoint. Luther and the Reformation The Church is weakened Renaissance challenged secular power German Ruler opposed Church power Merchants refused to pay Roman Church Taxes The Renaissance Popes spent $ on themselves Priests and monks were no longer being educated Had children, married Drank, gambled Indulgences- pardons-> "releases a sinner from performing the penalty a priest imposed for sins" (Johann Tetzel) Martin Luther Born in Germany: 1483 A close encounter with a lightning bolt drove him to become a monk Doctor of Theology before age 30 Wrote "95 Theses" The "95 Theses"- 95 objections to the Pardon Merchant Johann Tetzel and his indulgences Matin Luther nailed this on the Church doors (Wittenberg) Printing press spread "95 Theses" all throughout Germany and Europe Luther based the Reformation...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/27/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a powerpoint. Renaissance 1300-1600 Northern Italy: birthplace of the Renaissance  Renaissance- rebirth (of learning of culture) Cities were the center of the action Milan and Florence had wealthy merchants and bankers Artists in these cities were inspired by the former splendor of Rome (and Greece) Merchants and the Medici  Merchants dominated politics The Medici were a powerful banking family  They paid artists, writers, and musicians to create beautiful works of art They were patrons A super-nation: Isabella d'Este Educated, brillant A gifted singer, lute player, innovative dancer Wealthy, powerful parents She sponsored painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, architects A fashionista, she even designed her own perfume line Patron da Vinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo, Bellini, Correiggion, and many, many others Evolving valves... Humanism A deep intere...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/24/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took a test. After, we too notes in the textbook. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance Setting the Stage Europe suffered from war and plague.  Those who survived wanted to celebrate life. They questioned the institutions of the Middle Ages. Some questioned the church. In Italy, writers and artists began to express this new spirit and experiment with different styles. Italy's Advantages This movement caused an explosion of creating in art, writing, and thought from 1300-1600. This is called the Renaissance. Renaissance- rebirth or revival of art and learning. The educated people wanted to bring back to life the culture of classical Greece and Rome. These new changes helped artists explore the depths of individuality. Three advantages of the Renaissance are thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and heritage of Greece and Rome. City-States Overseas trade led to the growth of large...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/21/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a powerpoint. Where Did Charlemagne Come From? Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) - grandfather lived 688 - 741 won the crucial Battle of Tours (732), halting Islamic expansion in western Europe Charles Martel's sons:  Carloman (706 - 754) retired to become a monk in 747 Pepin the Short (714 - 768) continued to hold the Muslims off father of Charlemagne (and Carloman I) What Makes Charles So "Great"? He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an Empire He fought the Muslims in Spain (to the west) He conquered Italy (to the south) He fought Huns and Magyars (to the east)  Pope Leo III appreciated his efforts to spread Christianity, and crowned him  Imperator Augustus  (Emperor)on Christmas Day, 800 Charlemagne’s Legacy Renewed emphasis on education and culture literature, mathematics, ar...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/18/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on the powerpoint. Even so... Clovis rules the Franks. Clovis rules the Germanic people of Gaul, known as the Franks (which is where "France" comes from). In 496 he has a battlefield conversion- he and 3000 of his warriors become Christians. The Church in Rome likes this. By 511, the Franks are united into one kingdom, with Clovis and the Church working as partners . Spread of Christianity  Church + Frankish rulers = Rise of Christianity. In 520, Benedict writes rules for monks. Vows of Poverty (live simply in monasteries). Chastity (no marital relations). Obedience (Listen to Church Superiors). His sister, Scholastica, writes similar rules for nuns. They operate schools, maintain libraries, copy books. Pope Gregory and Papal power play Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) goes secular (worldly power). Church revenues are used to help the poor, build roads, and raise ...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/17/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a powerpoint. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Main Idea: Many Germanic Kingdoms that succeeded the Roman Empire were reunited under Charlemagne's empire. Why it matters now: Charlemagne spread Christian civilization throughout Northern Europe, which is where some (not all of) us came from. Setting the Stage Middle Ages=Medieval period. Ad 476- AD 1453. (From the end of the Roman Empire to the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks). Medieval Europe is fragmented. This is a New Society  This new society has roots in: Classical heritage of Rome. Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. Customs of various Germanic tribes. 5th Century Germanic Invaders Overrun the Western half of the Roman Empire. Causing: Disruption of Trade. Downfall of Cities. Population shifts to rural areas. Effects of Invasion Decline of Learning  Tribes had oral tradition, s...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/15/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we went over the test. We also took. notes from the textbook. Feudalism in Europe Invaders Attack Western Europe The Vikings Invade from the North Magyers and Muslims Attack from the East and South A New Social Order: Feudalism Feudalism Structures Society Lord- a landowner Fief- granted land Vassal- the person receiving the fief. The Feudal Pyramid Knights- mounted horseman who pledged to defend their lord's lands in exchange fro fiefs. Social Classes are Well Defined  Serfs- people who could not leave the place of their birth. Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism Manor- the lord's estate A Self-Contained World Harshness of Manor Life Tithe- church tax

Jillian Kurzmann 5/14/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took a test. We also took notes from our textbook. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Middle Ages- medieval period Invasions of Western Europe Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population Shifts Decline of Learning Loss of a Common Language Germanic Kingdoms Emerge  The Concept of Government Changes Clovis Rules the Franks Franks- the Germanic people in the providence of Gaul Germans Adopt Christianity Monasteries, convents, and manuscripts Monasteries- to adapt to rural conditions the Church built religious communities Papal Power Expands Under Gregory I Secular- worldly An Empire Evolves Charles Martel Merges  Carolingian Dynasty- the family that would rule the Franks from 751 to 987 Charlemagne Becomes Emperor Charlemagne- Charles the Great, ruler of the Kingdom Charlemagne Extends Frankish Rule Charlemagne leads a Revival Charlemagne's Heirs ...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/11/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a powerpoint. After Rome 500-700 Germanic Kingdoms of Western Europe. The Germanic Barbarians Barbarian warlords and their families who assimilated into Roman culture became the "nobles" or aristocrats of medieval Europe. Germanic tribes who ruled former Roman lands sought to conquer and assimilate other barbarian peoples who lived beyond the frontiers and were still pagans. Christendom- christianity and kingdom combination More on Germanic Kingdoms  The Angles and the Saxons (from Denmark and north-western Germany) invaded Britain and assimilated the native Britons. Most of the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity in the seventh century. The most powerful Germanic tribe was the Franks. But the real power lay with the "mayors of the palace" who were royal officials and nobles themselves. Meanwhile, back in the Eastern Empire. From "Eastern Empi...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/9/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a power point and in the textbook. The Empire Strikes Out The decline of the Roman Empire Rise of Christianity Priests, bishops, pope (Bishop of Rome) The Roman Empire and Christianity are now linked in power and influence. Decline of the Roman Empire AD 180: Rome has problems economic (trade became risky; taxes were too high; food supply was dropping) military (frontiers were hard to patrol; Roman generals fought for control; soldiers' loyalty declined and mercenaries appeared). Diocletian divided the empire into two  Greek speaking- east (had more resources) Latin speaking- west (Rome, Tradition) Decline of the Roman Empire AD 324- Constantine becomes emperor over both halves of the Empire Means moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople), where Asia met Europe (now Turkey). After his death, empire is divided again This time, "barbarian i...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/8/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on a powerpoint. Rome Fades Away What a difference a few centuries make. Two emperors Diocletian He rules from 284-303 It's cool to persecute Christians Rome needs a big army (400,000 strong). Rome needs a big government (20,000 officials) Constantine Rules from 306-337 It's cool to be a Christian Conversion to Christianity was a cross in the sky (conquer by this!) 313- his Edict of Milan proclaims freedom to worship. Built a new capital in the East Byzantium becomes Constantinople. The struggle of the peasants life in the fourth century Country dwellers are getting bankrupted by endless tax collection. New farming system: peasants work for elite landlords on large farms. Peasants can avoid paying taxes, but they are getting hit just as hard by the landlords. Paying off debts and being "allowed" to live on the land, in exchange for endless back-breaki...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/7/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we took notes on the powerpoint. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Both Jews and Christians were monotheistic. They refused to worship Roman gods. Early in the Pax Romana, it was easy to travel and spread ideas (Paul wasn't the only one who did so). Poor, desperate Romans were a receptive audience. The "problem" with monotheism. But Jews and Christians were sometimes persecuted by Roman authorities, since monotheism contradicted Roman Law. They could be exiled, imprisoned, executed, crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals. This would happen as things began to go wrong for the Roman Empire and scapegoats were "needed". Scapegoat: Aaron confessed Israelites' sins over a goat, then sent the goat to carry the sins away symbolically. The appeal of Christianity Christianity grew because Embraced all people men and women enslaved p...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/3/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, we started a powerpoint. We took notes on it. Christianity in the Pax Romana (a little backstory leading into the Middle Ages) a new religion in the empire. Christianity It all begins with Jesus Most of what we know of Jesus comes from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. "Gospel" means "good news". Who's Jesus? Jesus was a Jewish, itinerant preacher in Judea who set himself a part from other "Messiahs". Jesus taught God's personal relationship to each human being. Message of Love. More Roots Jesus' followers believed he was the "Messiah" who had come to end the world and bring the truly faithful into the kingdom of God. Jesus was believed to be both man and the Son of God; both human and divine. Jesus was seen as a threat to Roman Rule and was crucified, though his followers believed he rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. The...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/2/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Mr. Schick was not there. We took notes from our textbook. The Fall of the Roman Empire Emperors Attempt Reform The empire survived another 200 years. This was due to reform emperors and the empire's division into two-arts. Diocletian Reforms the Empire. Diocletian, a strong-willed army leader, became emperor in AD 284. He ruled with an iron fist and limited personal freedoms. He restored order to the empire and increased its strength. He doubled the size of the army and sought to control inflation by setting  fixed prices for goods. He claimed descent from the Roman Gods to himself seem godlike. Diocletian believed that the empire is too large and too complex for one ruler. He divided it into East and West and claimed the Eastern half. Diocletian retired in AD 305 due to illness. His plan failed. Civil War broke out. By 311, 4 rivals were competing for power. Constantine ran for power. ...

Jillian Kurzmann 5/1/18 Honors Western Civilization Today in class, Mr. Schick announced that we don't have to do blogs anymore. We also took notes on Rome from the textbook. The Fall of the Roman Empire A Century of Crisis. Historians agree that the end of Marcus Aurelius' reign (AD 161-180) was the end of 2 centuries of peace and prosperity known as Pax Romana. Rome began to decline due to the following emperors little knowledge of how to control the large empire. Rome's Economy Weakens Several factors prompted the weakening of Rome's Econ. Hostile tribes and pirates disrupted trade. Due to Rome reaching Manifest Destiny, the Romans lacked silver or gold. The gov. raised taxes and started using less and less silver in its coins. The Econ suffered from inflation. Inflation is a drastic drop in the value of money coupled with a raise in prices. Agriculture faced problems as well. Harvests in Italy and Western Europe became increasingly meager ...