Europe on the Eve of Colonization The Later Middle Ages Renaissance New Monarchs

The Later Middle Ages Major Theme- A series of Crises in the Later Middle Ages transformed European Society The Black Death (1347) The Hundred Years War (1309-1377) Great Schism in the Catholic Church (1377-1415)

The Black Death (1347) A. Causes 1. Bubonic plague was carried by fleas on Asian black rats and brought to Europe on ships returning from Asia 2. Overcrowding in cities and homes facilitated the spread of the disease 3. Poor sanitation in cities 4. Widespread malnutricion prior to the plague led to poor health 5. Poor hygiene

The Black Death B. The Results 1. Loss of 1/3 of European population 2. Economy in towns suffered significantly 3. In some areas workers enjoyed higher wages as the supply of workers was depleted 4. Impact on peasantry 5. Best of the Clergy died

The Black Death B. The Results 6. Jews were often blamed for the plague and thus persecuted 7. Literature and Art reflected pessimism 8. Population did not reach pre- plague level until the mid 16th century

II. Hundred Years War A. Cause: English crown lay claim to the duchy of Aquitaine B. The War 1. Most of the War was fought intermittently in France and the Low Countries 2. By 1415, the major battles had been won by England and Paris itself was threatened

II. Hundred Years War B. The War 3. Joan of Arc C. Results 1. France permanently removed England from France 2. The struggles of war began the modernization of state building in France and England 3. Peasant Revolts a. end of serfdom in England (1550)

III. Crisis in the Catholic Church A. Background 1. Western and European society was dominated by the catholic church since the fall of the Roman Empire 2. The Middle Ages were characterized by religious unity under the Catholic Church B. Great Schism 1. Conflict occurred in 1377 with the election of two popes- one in Rome and one in France- neither of whom recognized each other.

Renaissance Background A. The Renaissance is considered the beginning of modern European History B. Renaissance (1300-1600) 1. Occurred first in Italy and lasted until the mid 16th century 2. Renaissance spread to Northern Europe around 1450 3. In England, the Renaissance did not begin until the 16th century

Background C. Stood in contrast to the Middle Ages D. Renaissance culture applied almost exclusively to the upper class

I. “New” Monarchs: c.1460-1520 A. Consolidated power and created the foundation for Europe’s first modern nation-states in France, England and Spain. 1. This evolution had begun in the Middle Ages. Meanwhile, monarchies had grown weaker in eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. 2. However, New Monarchies never achieved absolute power; absolutism did not emerge effectively until the 17th century (e.g. Louis XIV in France).

I. “New” Monarchs: c.1460-1520 3. New Monarchies also were not nation-states (in the modern sense) since populations did not necessarily feel that they belonged to a “nation” a. Identity tended to be much more local or regional. b. The modern notion of nationalism did not emerge until the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

I. “New” Monarchs: c.1460-1520 B. Characteristics of New Monarchies 1. Reduced the power of the nobility through taxation, confiscation of lands (from uncooperative nobles), and the hiring of mercenary armies or the creation of standing armies a. The advent of gunpowder (that resulted in the production of muskets and cannon) increased the vulnerability of noble armies and their knights b. However, many nobles in return for their support of the king gained titles and offices and served in the royal court or as royal officials

I. “New” Monarchs: c.1460-1520 2. Reduced the political power of the clergy a. The medieval notion of the Church being supreme to the state was replaced in belief and practice 3. Created more efficient bureaucracies a. Enabled the “New Monarchs” to begin centralizing control of their realms 4. Increased the political influence of the bourgeoisie (at the expense of the nobility) a. In return, the bourgeoisie brought in much needed revenues to the Crown. b. This was more so in France than in Spain. 5. Increased the public (national) debt by taking out loans from merchant-bankers.

I. “New” Monarchs: c.1460-1520 C. Opposition to monarchial power 1. Nobles resented the decline of political influence 2. Clergy members saw the pope as their leader, not the monarch 3. Independent towns resisted more centralized monarchial control

II. Commerce A. Economic changes 1. Many people were moving from the country to the city where they found more opportunities to make a living 2. Capitalism 3. Uniform printed documents 4. Mercantilism- an economic system that sought to increase national wealth through a strictly regulated economy and a favorable balance of trade

III. Technological Factors A. The increase in trade opportunities in Europe and the discovery of the New World prompted better navigational tools. 1. Compass 2. Cross staff 3. Chip Board 4. Hourglass

IV. Rise of Nation-States A. Portugal B. Spain C. England D. France 1. France would not become a nation state until much later around 1600.