European Developments 1.6: Political and Religious Traditions

European Developments (1.6)

• Political Traditions: The Roman Empire's vastness led to its division into Western and Eastern empires, fostering distinct religious and cultural differences.
• Western Europe: The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE marked the beginning of the Middle Ages. Feudalism, a decentralized system of land ownership for loyalty, dominated. Kings granted land (fiefs) to lords, who pledged allegiance. This system extended down to knights and peasants. Later, monarchs gained power by taxing their populace and establishing independent armies, reducing dependence on feudal lords.
• Eastern Europe: The Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, maintained a centralized government in Constantinople. Russia's origins lie in independent city-states spanning Scandinavia to Central Asia, notably Kievan-Rus. This region adopted Orthodox Christianity and maintained strong cultural ties with the Byzantine Empire.

Religious Traditions

• Christianity's Divisions: The Great Schism of 1054 CE led to the separation of Christianity into Roman Catholic (Western Europe, led by the Pope) and Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine Empire to Russia) branches.
• Roman Catholic Church: The Church held significant power and wealth, often exceeding that of kings. It acted as a uniting force in a politically fragmented Western Europe. Antisemitism saw Jews expelled from parts of Western Europe, seeking refuge elsewhere or facing persecution..
• Eastern Orthodox Church: Caesaropapism, where the emperor was both head of state and church, characterized the Eastern Orthodox Church. Religious tolerance for Jews was a key difference from the West.
• Crusades: Series of religious wars (against non-Christians), often driven by political motivations, were launched by the Byzantine Empire and the Pope. The Crusades weakened the Byzantine Empire and solidified the rift between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Subsequent crusades targeted pagan peoples for land and resources.

Cultural Traditions

• Western Europe: The Church shaped every aspect of life, maintaining dominance through literacy and religious dogma. Challenges to Church authority led to artistic and intellectual revivals through the Renaissance (14th century), drawing from preserved knowledge of Dar-al-Islam. Humanism's focus on individual achievement contrasted with the theological focus. The printing press further fueled literacy and the rise of vernacular languages.
• Eastern Europe: Christianity played a crucial role in uniting diverse cultures under the Byzantine Empire. Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, and Georgians coexisted, alongside Jewish and Muslim communities. Byzantine art flourished, with buildings like the Hagia Sophia serving as prominent examples of the empire's patronage in this area.

Social Traditions

• Western Europe: Feudalism created a rigid social hierarchy. The Black Death empowered peasants and the rise of the bourgeoisie / merchants occurred during this period. Western European society was patriarchal; women had limited rights. Monastic communities provided an alternative social role for women, enabling literacy and leadership opportunities.
• Eastern Europe: Eastern European society offered more opportunities to women. In general, women were able to inherit property and, in certain cases, even take on substantial domestic and business roles. Compared to the West, women in Eastern Europe possessed greater social freedom and potential.