2. The High Middle Ages

3. Section 1

4. The world in the 1050’s Western Europe was just emerging from a period of isolation. Islam had given rise to a brilliant new civilization that stretched from Spain to India. India was a land of thriving cities, although it was politically divided. China had a strong central government. It was run by the Tang & Song dynasties, its culture flourished and influenced neighboring people. West African merchants traded goods like gold. Mayas had cleared rain forests and built cities. Seljuk Turks invaded the Byzantine Empire.

5. The Crusades At the council of Clermont in 1095 urban incited bishops and nobles to action. As the crusading spirit swept through Western Europe armies of ordinary men and women inspired by fiery preachers left for the holy land. Many nights hoped to win wealth and land. Urban hoped to increase his power in Europe and perhaps heal this schism (split) between Roman and Byzantine churches. After a long bloody campaign Christian knights captured Jerusalem in 1099. The crusades continued on and of for another 200 years. They divided their captured lands into four small states. European mounted crusades against Muslims, especially in north Africa. Muslim armies overran the crusade states. The brought Europe into a wider world from what had been cut of since the fall of Rome.

6. Effects of the crusades in Europe In Europe, crusaders sometimes turned their religious fury against Jews. Crusades increased trade. They introduced fabrics, spices & perfumes from the Middle East to Europe. Crusades further encouraged the growth of money economy. Rulers won new rights to levy (collect) taxes in order to support the crusades. Crusades didn’t end the split between Roman and Byzantine. Churches realized that millions of people lived in regions they had never known existed. In 1271 Marco Polo set out for China with his father and uncle. He told all of his friends in Venice all of the stories about the wonders of the Chinese civilization. He was called the “Prince of Liars” Experiences of crusades expanded European horizons.

7. The Reconquista in Spain Crusading spirit flourished especially is Spain, where Christian warriors had been battling Muslims for centuries. Muslims conquered most of Spain in the 700s. Reconquista was the Christians campaign to drive the Muslims from Spain. It was also called the “reconquest.” Efforts by Christian warriors to expel the Muslims began in the 700s Muslim influences remained strong, tough, and helped shape the arts and literature of Christian Spain. Under Muslim rule, Spain had enjoyed a tradition of religious toleration, which is a policy of Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived there in relative peace.

8. Section 2

9. Section 3

10. Section 4

11. Church Education The church wanted better educated clergy and Royal rulers needed literate men for their growing bureaucracies. By the 1100s school had sprung up around the great cathedrals to train the clergy and some other schools involved into the first universities.

12. Salerno and Bologna Salerno and Bologna in Italy boosted the first universities. They had a bell that wakened students for prayers and to attend classes that were held in rented rooms or in a choir loft of a church.

13. The seven liberal arts They had had a program wiht

14. Section 5

15. The Reconquista in Spain Crusading spirit flourished especially is Spain, where Christian warriors had been battling Muslims for centuries. Muslims conquered most of Spain in the 700s. Reconquista was the Christians campaign to drive the Muslims from Spain. It was also called the “reconquest.” Efforts by Christian warriors to expel the Muslims began in the 700s Muslim influences remained strong, tough, and helped shape the arts and literature of Christian Spain. Under Muslim rule, Spain had enjoyed a tradition of religious toleration, which is a policy of Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived there in relative peace.

16. The Black Death Disease that spread from Asia to the Middle East. Caused the European economy to plunge to a low ebb. The plague brought terror and bewilderment. The plague had spread both death and social unrest.

17. Upheaval in the Church Many divisions were made within the Catholic Church. The Church was unable to provide the strong leadership it needed during this desperate time. Not until 1417 did a Church council at Constance finally end the crisis.

18. English Victories! The English won a string of victories at Crecy in 1364. The English found much success by using their new weapon, the longbow. English victories took a heavy toll on French morale.

19. Joan of Arc Joan of Arc was a seventeen year old peasant woman who persuaded the French king Charles VII to let her lead his army. She led the French to several victories. The cannon was their powerful new weapon that they used to attack English- held castles. The English had her tried and convicted for witchcraft, she was burned at the stake.

20. Effects The Hundred Years’ War allowed French kings to expand their power. The Hundred Years’ War brought many changes to the late medieval world. English rulers soon began looking at new trading ventures overseas. Monarchs needed large armies, not feudal vassals, to fight their wars.