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Medieval Times
Medieval Times
From Europe to the Middle East
Islam on the Rise
Islamic Dynasties
100
How did monarchs during the high middle ages begin to develop a more centralized power?
Monarchs during the high middle ages (1000-1300) began expanding their royal domains and laws that moved away from the feudal and church system. By establishing government bureaucracy, taxation, armies, and building ties with the townspeople, particularly the middle class, the monarchs were able to gather enough support in exchange for better protections in trade and travel.
100
The Magna Carta also established this principal of government, designed to keep the powers of the monarchs in check.
The parliamentary system. First starting as a council to advise the king on legislative (law-making) matters, the council soon developed into a powerful government body which represented the interests of both nobles and lords and the common people. They governed the king's ability to levy taxes by ensuring monarchs met their demands before any new tax laws were written.
100
This event killed millions of people throughout Asia and Europe.
The Black Death.
100
What is the Hijra?
Warned that there was a plot against his life, Muhammed and his followers migrated out of Mecca to the city of Medina, which would become the base of power of Islam in its first centuries. It would ultimately be where Muhammed was buried upon his death and is considered the second holiest site in Islam, after Mecca.
100
Explain the significance of the Umayyad Caliphate.
The Umayaad Caliphate in Damascus, Syria was the Sunni empire that rose in the years following Muhammed's death. They are known for expanding the Muslim empire into Europe, though they were defeated by the Franks, led by Charles Martel. Their presence in Europe was limited to Spain, but elsewhere in the middle east, they were able to achieve great power by overcoming the Persians (Iranians) and the remnants of the Byzantine Empire. They were hugely successful because Islam presented a shared faith between rival tribes. This allowed the caliphs of the Umayaad caliphate to unify different muslim tribes throughout the middle east under one dynasty. They are also recognized for creating a standardized monetary system, establishing Arabic as the language of the empire, and creating agricultural policies that boosted the prosperity of the empire. In addition, they preached religious tolerance to the peoples they conquered and allowed them to practice their own respective religions, though they were still unable to enjoy the same rights as Muslims. The dynasty eventually declined due internal struggle between Sunnis, Shias, and non-muslims, poor administration of the large empire, and economic and class friction.
200
This medieval monarch took over England after defeating his rival at the Battle of Hastings. Following his usurpation of power, he put forth a census which detailed, in a book, every plot of land in England, which would later help future monarchs of England construct an efficient taxation system. Who was he and what was the name of this book?
William, Duke of Normandy - or - William the Conquerer. The name of the book was the "Domesday Book."
200
Who were some of the monarchs in France and what are their accomplishments.
Hugh Capet made the French throne hereditary and built an effective bureaucracy in France. He also gained widespread support of the Church and the middle class, giving him approval with the common people. Philip Augustus (Philip II) increased the royal lands of France and soon became one of the most powerful monarchs in Europe. In addition, Philip lessened the participation of nobles in government and placed a higher emphasis on the middle class in government. King Louis IX was a deeply religious man and personally led two Crusades. He also expanded the royal courts, outlawed private wars, and ended serfdom in France. He is seen as a great contributor to the building of an efficient centralized monarchy in France. Philip IV moved the Church to France (Avignon) so he could exert more power over the Pope, whom he quarreled with over taxation of clergy.
200
What were the effects of the Black Death plague?
As millions began to die of the plague, which spread to Europe from Asia through trade routes, normal life broke down as people scrambled for a way to stop the epidemic. Many hid away from others in an attempt to isolate themselves from the disease, while others simply lived as if it were their last day on Earth. Finger pointing abounded and Christians slaughtered Jews, blaming them for the outbreak. Still, others, turned to witchcraft and magic to find a cure. This social upheaval resulted in an economic depression which affected all of Europe. As workers and employers died of the plagues, production and trade declined. Survivors demanded higher wages and the cost of labor rose dramatically. Inflation grew and prices for goods skyrocketed. Combined, this cause massive conflict and the period was marked by numerous revolts and disorder.
200
Describe Hajj and Jihad.
Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year.[1][2] It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and a religious duty which must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in his or her lifetime. Jihad is a struggle in God's (Allah's) service.
200
Explain the significance of the Abbasid Dynasty.
The Abbasid Dynasty came into powerin 750 in Damascus following the downfall of the Umayaad Dynasty, wherein the Shiite leaders killed most of the Umayaad Sunnis left to take power. The remaining Shiites fled to Cordoba in Spain, where they established an independent Muslim state. The Abbasids then restructured the Muslim empire and ended the practice of large military conquests, instead choosing to focus on the betterment of the empire within. This allowed them to establish a strong bureaucracy and stimulated education within the empire. In addition, they are notable for ending discrimination of non-Muslims, encouraging Muslims to treat peoples of all religious faiths equally. They Abbasids moved their capital to Baghdad (Iraq) and created a city that surpassed Constantinople in wealth and size. The Caliphate eventually declined due to invasions from the Seljuk Turks and the Mongol hordes.
300
What are some of the legislative (lawmaking) innovations that King Henry II developed for England?
Henry II dictated that royal court decisions be based in common law, a legal system based on customs and court rulings. In addition, Henry II also defined the use of a jury system by which a group of people, sworn to tell the truth, were given the responsibility to decide whether or not a case would be trial-worthy.
300
These were a series of religious wars that originated because Muslims began taking over what was left of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and prevented Christians from making pilgrimages to the Holy Land (Palestine and Jerusalem).
The Crusades.
300
This prophet was born in the oasis town of Mecca in 570 CE.
Muhammed.
300
What are the differences between Sunni and Shiite muslims?
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali bin Abu Talib. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself.
300
What is the significance of Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, and Cordoba?
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam whereby all Muslims must try to make a pilgrimage to at least once in their lives. Medina is the second holiest city in Islam. It is where Mohammed fled to from Mecca in Islam's beginnings and it is where he is buried. Baghdad was the seat of power during the Abbasid dynasty and the city flourished under their rule. Cordoba is where the remnants of the Umayaad dynasty fled to following their expulsion from Damascus and where they established their own independent Muslim state.
400
This medieval monarch, and son of Henry II, made enemies, not only with his own nobles and the leaders of France, but also the Catholic Church and the Pope. In each case, he did not win.
King John.
400
What were the effects of the Crusades?
The Crusades created a great deal of animosity between Christians and Muslims, but it also had other effects. They expanded trade between Europe and the East (something we previously discussed) and expanded the economic standing of Europe through trade. It also sparked the beginning of a money economy as opposed to a barter system and served to undermine serfdom. The Crusades also strengthened the power of kings and allowed them to levy taxes for the purposes of Crusades. It also grew their popularity and support as it was not uncommon for kings to lead Crusades themselves. Finally, the Crusades broadened Europeans' worldview and showed them that there was a greater world outside their own with millions of people who thought and believed differently. This would eventually lead to the Renaissance's "Age of Exploration."
400
What religions were in the region before Muhammed and how did he change it?
Prior to Islam, Mecca was a center for the worship of pagan gods and goddesses. Muhammad created Islam following a religious experience he had wherein he spoke with the angel Gabriel who urged him to become a messenger of God, whom he called Allah. He then traveled the Middle East seeking converts from paganism to Islam, which he gathered a great following. Today Islam is one of the major religions of the world, next to Christianity and Judaism.
400
What are the major themes of Islamic art and literature?
Islamic art served primarily to glorify Allah. In doing so, depicting humans and animals was forbidden. Therefore, many Muslim artists focused on floral themes and patterns, drawn or set in glass and stone. Muslims also regarded the written word as art and calligraphy was a popular medium in Islamic art. These religious themes were reflected in paintings, glass and stone ware, and architecture, which is widely recognized with domed mosques and minarets, tall towers that took influence from Byzantine architecture. Some Muslim artists did depict humans and animals, but their works were non religious in nature and were typically scientific in nature. Literature was peotry or narratives that took influence from Indian, Persian, Egyptian, Jewish and Turkish sources. These could be tales of romance, adventure, fables, or humorous anecdotes.
400
Who were the Ottomans and what were their first major accomplishments?
The Ottomans, or Turks, were nomadic peoples that spread across Asia Minor and Eastern Europe, conquering a great number of peoples as they moved. Most notably, they seized Constantinople from the crumbling Byzantine Empire and replaced the city as the seat of the new Ottoman Empire.
500
This famous document, which King John was pressured into signing, set the direction for the future of English government. What was it and what did it do?
The Magna Carta. The Magna Carta, or "Great Charter," was a document which English nobles forced King John to sign. It established the rights for the English - first the nobles, then everyone else - and held all monarchs accountable to existing laws. It also created the basis for due process of law, whereby it protected townspeople from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment and other legal actions unless they had broken laws. It also established the principal of "habeas corpus," the principal that no person could be imprisoned without first being charged with a specific crime.
500
Describe the growth and effect of increased education and learning during the Middle Ages.
As the economy improved in Europe, the demand for educated people in the government and Church increased. To this end, many Universities were established to teach students math, geometry, astronomy, music, grammar, rhetoric, and logic. They could then further their education in other areas such as law, theology, or medicine. For the most part, women were not allowed to attend university, but that did not stop a great many from becoming learned scholars, through other means such as learning through classes in convents and churches. During this time, Medieval literature, art and architecture reached their highest points.
500
What are the five pillars of Islam?
Shahadah: declaring there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger. Salat: ritual prayer five times a day. Zakat: giving 2.5% of one’s savings to the poor and needy. Sawm: fasting and self-control during the blessed month of Ramadan. Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime[5][6] if he/she is able to.
500
This was the name of successors to Mohammed and often considered the seat of power in a Muslim empire.
Caliphs.
500
Describe Suleman the Magnificent and his accomplishments under the Ottoman Empire.
Suleman the Magnificent was an Ottoman sultan that reigned from 1520 to 1566. He is responsible for the best years of the Ottoman Empire and extending its boundaries well into Europe. Under Suleman, the Ottoman empire was organized into four classes (in descending order of importance). Men of the Sword - soldiers who guarded the sultan and defended the state. Men of the pen - scientists, lawyers, judges, and poets. Men of negotiation - merchants, tax collectors, artisans. Men of Husbandry - farmers and herders. Under Suleman, arts and literature flourished. By the 1700's the Ottoman empire began its decline as European powers, with superior technology, began seizing lands from the Ottomans. It would eventually be dissolved following WWI in 1918.