Medieval Period Overview and Government Forms

1ST: MEDIEVAL PERIOD

• Period of human development, centralization, disruption, and violence
• Shaped European countries
• Dominated by Christianity
• Extreme food scarcity led to famine
• Resulted in the "Black Death" (first pandemic)
• Aggressive because of food need
• Infectious disease caused by bacteria
• People believed the bacteria came from food shipments
• Symptoms included boils, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Rapid, deadly disease
• Animals also got infected
• Doctors initially didn't want to treat the infected, thinking it was a punishment from God
• Yersinia Petis bacteria causes bubonic plague (19th century)
• Proved bubonic plague originated in France
• Bubonic plague still exists today (at least 1000 cases annually)
• Plague and COVID-19 both created negative social impacts (lack of food, fear, masks)

Forms of Government

• Absolute Monarchy: Ruler holds all power
• Constitutional Monarchy: Ruler's power limited by a constitution
• Feudal Society: Land ownership and power exchange through a hierarchical system

Manorialism

• Economic system (self-sufficient)
• Relationships between peasants and lords
• Manor as a large area of land, the lord's estate
• Separated area to contribute to the economy
• Manor houses served as residences
• Controlled by the lords
• Demesne/Da Main for the lords' personal use
• Dependent holdings for serfs to provide labor
• Cultivated areas (no outside people allowed)

Education in Medieval Period

• Largely influenced by social studies
• Centered on the church (reading, writing, Latin)
• Boys and girls were treated differently in education
• Ecclesiastical schools focused on religious studies
• Practices were established, schools were disrupted by wars, invasions
• Cambridge and Oxford established

Art in the Middle Ages

• Byzantine Art: Wide variety; Religious focus; Lack of realism; Early medieval art; Exhibit symbolism; Didn't have 2D or 3D elements; Plain, dark
• Romanesque Art: More life, colors, Detailed elements, Stained glass
• Gothic Art: Brighter colors; Broader perspective; Realism; Artistic commissions (detailed)

Medieval Literature

• Most written in Latin
• Themes centered on romanticism and values
• Wanted moral lessons or values in their literature
• Chivalry, bravery, honor, loyalty
• Beowulf (Epic Poem, Old English)
• Heroic journey (written between 8th and 11th century)
• Follows Beowulf as a hero who aids a king in Denmark
• Struggle between good and evil
• Considered a foundational work of English Literature
• Canterbury Tales: Group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, tell stories to pass time
• Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
• Provided insight into Medieval society

Medieval Architecture

• Romanesque Arch: Massive sizes
• To intimidate enemies
• Shows power, very thick walls
• Has stained glass
• Cathedral like floor plan

2ND: RENAISSANCE PERIOD

• "Rebirth" period
• Most well-known thinkers emerged
• First started in Italy, thanks in part to the Medici Family
• Advancements in arts, architecture, philosophy, literature, and science
• Focus on Humanism: Human emotion, experience, and self-reflection
• Francesco Petrarch (father of Humanism) sparked the movement
• Artists emphasized humanism, realism, and perspective through art
• Artists studied anatomy, accurately portrayed human figures
• Perspective in art created illusion
• Balance and proportion in works were carefully created

Renaissance Art

• Tells a story
• Personal to the artists
• Perspective was used to create illusion in art
• Balance and proportion was highly valued
• Visual stability in art was important
• Use of light and dark colors to create depth

High Renaissance

• Linear perspective used
• Human figure as a symbol
• Visual style of mannerism
• Focus on visual illusion is a major component
• Artists such as Michelangelo and da Vinci were important
• Michelangelo: Wasn't interested in school, would rather watch artists paint in church.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance man (scientist, inventor, artist)
• Mona Lisa, and Sistine Chapel were two important works.

3RD: REFORMATION AND COUNTER-REFORMATION

• Reformation: Renewing or changing of political, social, economic institutions
• Change in religious practices is notable
• Questioned church power
• Some kings felt overpowered by popes
• Movement to discover and fight against impurities in the church
• Church was incredibly wealthy and powerful
• Pope Alexander the 6th: Admitted to having children, activities didn't match teachings, some clergy had children.
• Simony (buying/selling church positions or indulgences) occurred in Church.
• Indulgences reduced time in purgatory
• Counter-Reformation: Efforts to protect the church from attacks (establishments formed to strengthen the church)
• Religious zeal led to conflict and violence
• Council of Trent was a key organization in the Counter-Reformation
• Goals: Develop and strengthen doctrines of the church; Abolish Indulgences; Reinforce Pope power as leader.
• Spread the word to stop Luther's ideas -Society of Jesus was also a key organization.

Martin Luther

• Father of the Protestant Reformation
• Criticized indulgences and other practices of the Catholic Church
• Exposed injustices of the Church through 95 Theses
• Nailed the 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Church
• Johannes Gutenberg's printing press spread the 95 Theses widely
• Major Reforms: Faith is the key to heaven (not indulgences); Holy Bible as the basis of faith, not the Church; Religious freedom.