Summary: European History

Read the summary and the most important questions on European History

• European History

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• 2 Factors that contributed to the "PRELUDE TO DISASTER"

  ·Climate Change and Famine
  oBetween 1300 and 1450, Europe experienced a “Little Ice Age.”
  oHarsh weather led to ruined harvests.
  oPoor nutrition increased susceptibility to disease and facilitated epidemics (for example, typhoid).
  oSocial consequences of famines and epidemics included depopulation of some areas, a volatile land market, and unstable international trade.
  ·Government Ineptitude
  oGovernment measures, such as price controls, were ineffective.
  oThe starving scapegoated and attacked Jews, lepers, and the wealthy.

• BLACK DEATH-How and when did it arrive in Europe and where did it go from there?

  ·
  oGenoese ships brought the plague to Italy in 1347.
  oFrom there it spread to southern Germany, France, and then England.

• Pathology of the Black Death

  oFleas often living on black rats bore the plague bacillus.
  oPoor sanitary conditions and lack of bathing facilitated the spread of the disease.
  oThe appearance of a single boil was followed by bleeding under the skin, vomiting of blood, and death.
  Medieval doctors had no way of coping with the plague

• Care for the sick (and Beliefs and Blame)

  oDoctors could sometimes ease the pain of the disease, but they had no cure.
  oMany believed the plague was caused by poisoned or “corrupted” air.
  oStrong-smelling substances were used in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.
  oWealthy people often fled to the countryside.
  oMany thousands of Jews were killed by people looking for a scapegoat.
  oHospitals served as a refuge for some sick people.
  Many people believed the plague was a sign of God’s anger

• Causes of the Hundred Years' War

  oIn 1328 French barons denied the claim of English King Edward III to the French throne and chose Philip VI of Valois as king.
  oIn 1337 Philip confiscated Edward III’s holding of Aquitaine.
  oThe Hundred Years’ War also became a French civil war as some French barons supported Edward III’s claims to stop the centralizing drive of the French monarchy.
  o  Economic factors involving the wool trade and control of Flemish towns created tension between the English and the French.

• The Popular Response to The Hundred Years War

  oBoth English and French kings used priests to stimulate patriotism among the people.
  oWar provided poor knights and others (criminals who enlisted, for example) with opportunities for plunder and new estates.

• Course of the War to 1419

  oThe English scored successes early on.
  oAt Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415), the English longbowmen were instrumental in defeating the French.

• ·Joan of Arc and France’s Victory

  oIn 1429, the French peasant girl Joan of Arc claimed divine inspiration and helped turn the tide in favor of the French.
  oShe was captured by the English, tried, and executed on charges of witchcraft.
  oThe war ended in 1453 with the English holding only the port of Calais in France.

• ·Costs and Consequences of Hundred Years' War

  oThe war was costly for both sides and local government in England fell into disarray as so many sheriffs were serving abroad as knights.
  oTo pay for the war, Edward III had to negotiate almost constantly with the barons in Parliament, thus strengthening the institution.
  oThe war promoted the growth of nationalism in both countries.

• Challenges to the Church: The Babylonian Captivity

  oFrom 1309–1376 the popes resided in Avignon, France, under control of the French monarchy.
  (Pope Clement was pressured to come to France and 7 popes ended up staying there. It left Italy poverty stricken without good government and stability)
  
  The Papal court was brought back to Rome in 1377 and a new Pope "Urban VI" was chosen