Chapter“17”: The Two Worlds of Christendom

Due: Thursday, November 19, 2015

Overview

After the fall of the Roman Empire, two very different realms of European Christendom emerged. In the east, the Byzantine Empire managed to flourish politically, economically, and socially. In contrast, Western Europe's economy underwent a sharp constriction, and early medieval Europe was a world dominated by rural self-sufficiency and political decentralization. The differences in the two societies also manifested in the ritual and doctrinal differences between the two Christian communities that culminated in a schism between the eastern and western churches that exists to the present day.

Several unique features of the Byzantine civilization contributed to its prosperity:

  • A strategically located capital city called Constantinople that was one of the largest, most influential, and cosmopolitan urban centers in the world
  • A highly centralized and autocratic governmental structure consisting of an exalted emperor with an aura of divinity and a large and intricate bureaucracy
  • A rich Christian tradition elaborated by the emperor and the patriarchs that eventually evolved into an independent and separate faith referred to as Eastern Orthodox
  • An unusual and effective administration system whereby generals governed over free peasants who received small tracts of land to work in exchange for military service
  • The extension of Byzantine cultural traditions to eastern Europe and Russia through political, cultural, and economic relations

While other parts of the world were experiencing unprecedented prosperity during the postclassical era, Europe was laying the foundation for the development of the powerful society that would emerge during the high middle ages. That foundation rested on the following:

  • Hard-won political order, restored out of disruption caused by the fall of the Roman empire, centuries of destructive invasions, and dramatic depopulation; this order based on a highly decentralized but flexible system that vested political, military, and judicial authority in local and regional rulers
  • A long, slow process of economic recovery based first on increased agricultural production followed by gradually increasing trade, industry, and commerce and the eventual re-urbanization of Europe
  • The cultural unity provided by the Christian church based in Rome

During this period Roman Christianity provided the impetus for cultural continuity and unity in Western Europe. The office of the papacy and the monastic movement were two powerful institutions that helped to preserve Roman traditions and develop and consolidate a uniquely European culture.

Key Concepts:

3.2.I – Empires collapsed and were reconstituted; in some regions new state forms emerged.

3.3.II – The fate of cities varied greatly, with periods of significant decline, and with periods of increased urbanization by rising productivity and expanding trade networks

Reading Questions (Vocabulary terms should be highlighted throughout answer)

  1. Explain the effects of the Muslim conquests on the Byzantine empire.
  2. Compare and contrast the economies of Byzantium and western Europe.
  3. Compare and contrast social development in Byzantium and western Europe.
  4. Compare and contrast the ways in which popes and patriarchs exercised their political power.
  5. Analyze the role of monks, monasteries, and missionaries in Christianity.
  6. Analyze the causes of effects of the Great Schism.

Reading Schedule:

Intro and Section 1: The Quest for Political OrderFriday, November 13, 2015

Section 2: Economy and Society in Early Medieval EuropeMonday, November 16, 2015

Section 3: The Evolution of Christian Societies in Byzantium and Western EuropeTuesday, November 17, 2015

Chapter “17”: The Two Worlds of Christendom

SPICE Chart (Use the examples to help your place information

AP Themes
SOCIAL
  • Family/ kinship
  • Gender roles/relations
  • Social and economic classes
  • Racial/ ethnic factors
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyles
  • “Haves” & “have nots”

POLITICAL
  • Leaders/groups
  • Forms of government
  • Empires
  • State building/expansion
  • Political structures
  • Courts/laws
  • Nationalism/nations
  • Revolts/revolutions

INTERACTIONS (WITH PEOPLE AND THE ENVINRONMENT)
  • War/conflict
  • Diplomacy/treaties
  • Alliances
  • Exchanges between individuals, groups, & empires/nations
  • Trade/commerce
  • Globalization Location
  • Physical
  • Human/environment
  • Migration/movement
  • Region
  • Demography
  • Neighborhood
  • Urbanization
  • Settlement patterns
  • Disease
  • Cities (2 major ones)

CULTURAL
  • Religion
  • Belief systems and teachings
  • Philosophy
  • Holy books
  • Conversion
  • Key figures
  • Deities
  • Art
  • Music
  • Writing/literature
  • Philosophy
  • Math
  • Science
  • Architecture
  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Transportation

ECONOMY
  • Agricultural/pastoral
  • Economic systems
  • Labor systems/ organizations
  • Industrialization
  • Technology/industry
  • Capital/money
  • Business organizations

Chapter 13/17: The Two Worlds of Christendom

SPICE Chart (Use the examples to help your place information

AP Themes
SOCIAL
  • Family/ kinship
  • Gender roles/relations
  • Social and economic classes
  • Racial/ ethnic factors
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyles
  • “Haves” & “have nots”

POLITICAL
  • Leaders/groups
  • Forms of government
  • Empires
  • State building/expansion
  • Political structures
  • Courts/laws
  • Nationalism/nations
  • Revolts/revolutions

INTERACTIONS (WITH PEOPLE AND THE ENVINRONMENT)
  • War/conflict
  • Diplomacy/treaties
  • Alliances
  • Exchanges between individuals, groups, & empires/nations
  • Trade/commerce
  • Globalization Location
  • Physical
  • Human/environment
  • Migration/movement
  • Region
  • Demography
  • Neighborhood
  • Urbanization
  • Settlement patterns
  • Disease
  • Cities (2 major ones)

CULTURAL
  • Religion
  • Belief systems and teachings
  • Philosophy
  • Holy books
  • Conversion
  • Key figures
  • Deities
  • Art
  • Music
  • Writing/literature
  • Philosophy
  • Math
  • Science
  • Architecture
  • Technology
  • Innovations
  • Transportation

ECONOMY
  • Agricultural/pastoral
  • Economic systems
  • Labor systems/ organizations
  • Industrialization
  • Technology/industry
  • Capital/money
  • Business organizations

Vocabulary List

Term / Definition/significance
Charlemagne / Definition:
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Clovis / Definition:
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Vikings / Definition:
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Magyars / Definition:
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Holy Roman empire / Definition:
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Serfs / Definition:
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Vassals / Definition:
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Manors / Definition:
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Horse collar/Watermills / Definition:
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Heavy Plow / Definition:
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Pope Gregory I / Definition:
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Vocabulary List

Term / Definition/significance
William Duke of Normandy / Definition:
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Lief Erikson / Definition:
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Gothic Cathedrals / Definition:
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Bubonic Plague / Definition:
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Leo III / Definition:
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Theme System / Definition:
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Iconoclasm / Definition:
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Greek Fire / Definition:
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Schism / Definition:
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Hagia Sophia / Definition:
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On the map below, identify the following:

Frankis

h Kingdom

Papal States

Britain

Holy Roman Empire

Castile, Aragon, Granada, Portugal, and Navarre

Balkan Peninsula

Iberian Peninsula

France

Poland

Hungary

Serbia

Bulgaria

Byzantine Empire

London

Toledo

Venice

Rome

Vienna

Florence

Naples

Budapest

Constantinople

Jerusalem

Kiev

Mediterranean Sea

Black Sea

Caspian Sea

Red Sea