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Ch. 14.2 Economic & Cultural Revival

The Crusades helped transform the Dark Ages into the beginning of

Western Civilization. Early Middle Ages Crusades High Middle Ages

Renaissance Modern Era Age of Exploration Age of ReasonAge of Enlightenment

The Revival of TradeA. Expansion of Trade (Italy & Kiev trade centers)

1. People wanted Asian goods2. Trade expanded with the revival of towns3. They repaired and rebuilt Roman Roads4. Trade fairs were held at convenient land and water

routes.B. Banking

1. Early merchants used the barter system2. Money economy led to banking3. Banking developed from moneychangers4. This helped lead to the decline of feudalism

II. Growth of TownsA. Grew in numbers between 1000s to 1100s AD beside well-

traveled roads or waterways.B. Walls were built to protect the towns

C. No sanitation caused the rapid spread of disease1. many turned into epidemics2. Bubonic Plague (Black Death) between 1348-1350 AD

killed 1/3 of the populationa. Church lost power (faith decreased)b. serfs freed themselves from feudal obligations

D. Guildsbusiness associations1. maintain a monopoly of the local market for its member

2. merchant guilds restricted trading3. craft guilds regulated the work of artisans4. prohibited competition, but set standard of quality5. controlled by master who owned their own shops

6. apprentice-worked without pay journeyman-pay under

a master sample for approval to guild master7. provided medical help and unemployment relief8. helped organize social and religious life

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E. Rise of the Middle Class1. middle class developed with towns2. merchants, bankers and artisans3. helped turn towns into municipalities

F. Town Govt1. many broke away from the power of local lord and became

independent2. some received charters which allowed them to control their

own affairsIII. Life & Culture

A. Most people were illiterateB. Education was controlled by the clergyC. As towns grew, there was a need for educated officials and

lawyers, as a result universities were formed

D. Universities1. They studied Aristotle, Roman law, Latin classics, Islamic

scholars2. (Books were scarce, students took notes on slates)

E. Scholasticism was a new type of learning that emphasizedreason as well as faith

F. Thomas Aquinas claimed reason was a gift from God thatcould provide answers to basic philosophical questions

IV. Medieval Literature and ArtA. Epics and Romances

1. Beowulfis an Anglo-Saxon epic telling the harshness of lifein Northern Europe

2. Song of Rolandis a French epic that tells of the chivalrousdeeds of Charlemagnes knights

3. Romances about knights and ladies were very popularB. Vernacular Literature was written in everyday language (not

Latin) making literature accessible to more people1. DantesDivine Comedy2. ChaucersCanterbury Tales

C. Medieval Art1. Early churches were Romanesque still (mixture of Roman &

Byzantine)

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2. Gothic style developed ca 1150 AD replacing the heavywalls and low arches with flying buttresses, high ceilings,stained glass windows, open interiors, thin walls

3. Painters focused on illuminated manuscripts