Essay, Research Paper: Western Civilizations

The 1000 year mark was an important one in Western civilizations it
marked many changes. These changes changed were very important
to the civilization of this time. Some of these changes included the
rise of Feudalism, Geography, technology, economy, Monarchy, and
the role of women.
Feudalism (a system of government in which those who
possessed landed estates also possessed political power) (Stavrianos
pg. 229) this system replaced state power with contractual
agreements between lords and vassals. This system started when
German Kings who had over taken Rome could not afford to run the
current system of government they granted them estates. These
estates were sometimes called fiefs, these were then divided into
smaller ones. The system lead to the lords having allot of influence
they were the ones who voted on who would be king, even thought
they did not obey the kings authority they ran their own estates.
Manorialism also came about with no political system the economical
system also changed. The Manor was a self sufficient being it was a
village of sorts. The serts were the ones who did all the work they
were not allowed to leave the Manor. Trading basically disappeared
and the Manors had to make every thing for them selves. With this
weak political system the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope was
allowed to gain much power.
The Geography of western Eurasia was also an advantage they
were able to avoid being incursion form other after 1000. They also
had very good natural resources. The land was exemplary for
agriculture Europe north of the Mediterranean basin was subject to
consent rain fall and also fertile soil. The resources were not used
before because they needed some experience and tools to be done
effectively.
Technology was also on the rise More technological progress
was made during the period of medieval western Europe than had
been made during the entire history of classical Greece an Rome.
(Stavrianos pg. 231). Some of the distinct advancement in
technology was the three field rotation system of farming, this
system upped productivity. The horse was also used more when they
made better harnesses the privies ones choked the horses if they
pulled too hard. The horses were more efficient that the oxen, they
puled faster and more weight. The next major thing was the
windmills and water mills.
With all the new technology the economy also grew along with
it. There was alot allot of growth in the area of mining, and the
timber was also exploited allot. Productivity of agriculture lead to an
increase in the population. With the growth of The economy cam the
growth of luxury item being traded such as raw wool for woolen
cloth, English iron and timber for furs and leather. The first union of
sort were formed merchants and craftmakers to organize into
guilds, which were voluntary association designed for protection and
mutual aid (Stavrianos pg. 233), these associations regulated
manufacturing standards, prices and working hours.
The power of the Popes and the church feel quickly, and the
power of the European kings was on the rise. The king were used the
church for their own use as pawns. The rise of the king came from
the new merchant class. The burghers provided the finical support
needed to run a monarchy. For this finical support they were
provided with protection.
Women were still treated the same but the church fought for
equality of the sexes For ye are all the children of God by faith
Christ Jesus wroth by saint Paul (Stavrianos pg. 243). Women were
also now involed in business their were now word to descried an
occupation held by a woman . Even with all these advancements
women were still being mistreated it was legal for a man to beat his
wife they could even be excued of killing of maiming their wives. The
Art of courtly love this encouraged a knight who desired a peasant
girl not to hesitate to take what you seek and embrace her by force
(Stavrianos pg. 245) even with a little leeway they were still
controlled.
The 1000 year marked many changes in every aspect of
Medieval life. With all the advancements their were also set backs,
and some advancement still hod true to, today s socecity.