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The Decline of Medieval Europe. Starting in the 14th century, European society began to decline due to the following:. Famines between 1314 & 1317 The Hundred Years War The Black Death. Famine. The Population increased quickly because of improved agricultural techniques.
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The Decline of Medieval Europe Starting in the 14th century, European society began to decline due to the following:
Famines between 1314 & 1317 • The Hundred Years War • The Black Death
Famine • The Population increased quickly because of improved agricultural techniques. • Later poor harvests (because of cooler, wetter weather) caused starvation.
The Hundred Years War (1338-1453) • A series of conflicts between France and England resulting from hostilities dating back to the Norman Conquest (William the Conqueror). • Constant battle inhibited development.
The Black Death (1347-1350) • The Bubonic plague killed ¼ of Europe’s population. • It was spread by rats carrying fleas infected with the plague.
Effects: • Flourishing commerce & town growth collapsed • Fewer farmers/labourers = less food = shortages = less people = fewer farmers/ labourers, etc. etc
The Renaissance • A Great revival of classical (Greek & Roman) art, literature, and learning in Europe. • Renaissance means rebirth or revival.
Where? • It Began in the Italian city-states. • The city of Florence, which was under the control of a powerful banking/trading family (the Medici family) was at its heart. • It spread to the rest of Europe through the printing press. This allowed books and writing to reach a mass audience quickly and cheaply.
Gutenberg • He perfected the press in 1453. • The level of importance of the printing press is rivaled by few other inventions
Who? • Artists, writers, and scholars (at first in Italy) who admired classical works, and strove to recreate the work of their ancestors. • Many became very well known (i.e. Da Vinci, Michelangelo). • Great patrons (the Medici family, the Roman Catholics Church, governments, etc.) commissioned their work.
Focus/Philosophy • Humanism: focus on human concerns. • Emphasis is placed on human ability. • Scientific investigation focused on observation of the natural world. • Sought to improve humanity and society through enlightened education and action. • Renaissance man: a term to describe a person well educated who excels in a wide variety of subjects or fields.
The Reformation • A religious movement in Europe that began with Roman Catholic reforms and ended with the establishment of Protestant churches.
Where? • It began in Germany and spread throughout Europe.
Causes: • The Roman Catholic church was weakened by the Great Schism of the 14th century. • The sale of church positions by the pope to nobles without religious training. • The sale of Indulgences (pardons that could be bought to reduce time punished for sin.) • Resentment of expensive church construction, and lavish spending. • Differences in belief about how the church should be run.
The leader – Martin Luther (1483-1546) • He was a German monk. • He was outraged by the sale of church indulgences and other matters of church practice. • He nailed the Ninety-Five Theses on the door of a church in protest.
The statements were printed and circulated all over Germany. • Luther was excommunicated and convicted of heresy by the pope. • He was saved by a German prince. • His work caused a split in Germany between Lutherans and Roman Catholics.
