Big Ideas of the Middle Ages 600 CE1450
Big Ideas of the Middle Ages 600 CE-1450 CE
New Forms of Government Feudalism Decentralized Based on exchange of land for services (usually military) Western Europe, Japan, Russia Caliphate Empire Caliph – religious and political leader Middle East
Religion as a Unifier Roman Pope Catholicism – representative of God Excommunication used to control kings All people in Western Europe practiced Part of daily life (7 sacraments)
Religion as a Unifier Islam Different caliphates still followed same basic teachings Appealed to lower classes because of promise of equality Dhimmis (non-Muslims) given freedom of religion Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Africa, East Africa
Religion as a Unifier Byzantine Eastern Empire Orthodoxy Caesaropapism – king control of the Church Patriarch Church chosen by the government in everyday life
Increase in Trade Indian Ocean Primary Run New route by Muslim merchants technology Monsoons Safer, Silk, faster, carried everyday goods Spice, Slaves
Increase in Trade Silk Road Revived Fought only under the Mongols bandits to make it safe Lower tariffs Mostly luxury items Black Death
Role of Nomads Mongols upset the structure of Asia Down fall of Islamic Caliphate & Song Dynasty Allowed the rise of Western Europe Established feudalism in Russia (separated it from Western Europe)
Continuities Hemispheres Nomads still not united still causing change Empires Silk Road trade Western Europe separated from the world
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