Unit 1 Notes
Key points to know
How Europe was prepared, by events and circumstances, to spring forth and devour the world, resulting in a modern world in which “European” means “modern.”
That the preparation Europe experienced meant it was pretty much of a “no contest”; the Europeans were ready, and the rest of the world wasn’t.
It wasn’t a Manichean contrast of “good” and “bad.” There were no idyllic societies. Period. (This does not mean that people and individual acts could not be seen as good or bad.)
The expansion of Europe could be seen as a “folk movement.” Folk movements are neither good nor bad; they just are.
One key legacy of Europe is the Lockean theory of Natural Rights. You will see this again in this course. And again.
Taken together, the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment are known as The Three Revolutions that made Europe.
Roman Empire (gone by 500 AD) Language- Latin Infrastructure- things that hold together (roads, interstates, etc.) Roman Catholic Church- influenced by the government Trade- infrastructure makes trade very easy and good Specialization Law- common law helped trade and specialization with solidifying agreements.
Europe after the Roman Empire
Middle Ages (~500-1500/1650)- Early Middle Ages/“Dark Ages” (~500-~1000AD)
Feudalism- system of relationships
Vassals- owed loyalty (“fealty”) to the person above them (their liege/lord)
Note: English feudalism- everyone’s a direct vassal of the king also
Nation-state generally unknown- a land of principalities, duchies, etc.
Commerce random- subject to tolls at every border
Roman Catholic Church (RCC)- the sole unifying factor after collapse of Empire
Pope at the top- chosen by convoluted process (in principle, by senior clergy)
Holy Roman Emperor (962-1806) supposedly ran secular government
“Electors”- 3 bishops [Mainz, Trier, Köln] + 4 secular leaders- chose
Kings vassals of Emperor (in theory > in practice); Emperor, of Pope
Growth of
How Europe was prepared, by events and circumstances, to spring forth and devour the world, resulting in a modern world in which “European” means “modern.”
That the preparation Europe experienced meant it was pretty much of a “no contest”; the Europeans were ready, and the rest of the world wasn’t.
It wasn’t a Manichean contrast of “good” and “bad.” There were no idyllic societies. Period. (This does not mean that people and individual acts could not be seen as good or bad.)
The expansion of Europe could be seen as a “folk movement.” Folk movements are neither good nor bad; they just are.
One key legacy of Europe is the Lockean theory of Natural Rights. You will see this again in this course. And again.
Taken together, the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment are known as The Three Revolutions that made Europe.
Roman Empire (gone by 500 AD) Language- Latin Infrastructure- things that hold together (roads, interstates, etc.) Roman Catholic Church- influenced by the government Trade- infrastructure makes trade very easy and good Specialization Law- common law helped trade and specialization with solidifying agreements.
Europe after the Roman Empire
Middle Ages (~500-1500/1650)- Early Middle Ages/“Dark Ages” (~500-~1000AD)
Feudalism- system of relationships
Vassals- owed loyalty (“fealty”) to the person above them (their liege/lord)
Note: English feudalism- everyone’s a direct vassal of the king also
Nation-state generally unknown- a land of principalities, duchies, etc.
Commerce random- subject to tolls at every border
Roman Catholic Church (RCC)- the sole unifying factor after collapse of Empire
Pope at the top- chosen by convoluted process (in principle, by senior clergy)
Holy Roman Emperor (962-1806) supposedly ran secular government
“Electors”- 3 bishops [Mainz, Trier, Köln] + 4 secular leaders- chose
Kings vassals of Emperor (in theory > in practice); Emperor, of Pope
Growth of