CHAPTER FOUR

THE MEDIVAL PERIOD OR MIDDLE AGE (476-1453)

---It was a period from the downfall of Roman Empire in the west to the collapse of
Byzantine Empire.

4.1 Europe during the Middle Age

Invasion and age of Feudalism

---Before the fall of Western Roman Empire Germanic tribes such as Ostrogoth’s,
Vandals, Jutes, Saxons, Anglos, Visigoths, and Francs etc from northern Europe
(Scandinavian region) came to the northern frontiers of Roman Empire. Most of them
were organized in tribe. They adopted the results of Roman civilization. Finally, they
invaded and ended Roman Empire.

--Areas of Roman Empire invaded by Barbarians

. Spain about 416AD—by Visigoths

. France in 480s-by Francs (they established the kingdom of Gaul in France)

. Britain in 450AD-by the Jutes, Anglos and Saxons

. Italy in 480s-by Ostrogoth’s

---The following are the results of Barbarian invasion in Europe

 Decline in trade
 Decline in urbanization and caused for the revival of agrarian economy
 Destroyed strong central administration
 Decline in the fruits of Classical civilization like art, architecture, painting,
philosophy, sculpture etc.
 Overall, it caused for the revival of feudal economy.

FEUDALISM IN EUROPE

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 Key words

. Manor- village or a large estate of land

. Coloni (serf) - dependent peasants

.Corveelabor- compulsory labor service

. Knights- mostly the higher land lords who led the army

. Vassalage- a system of relation in which the lower lord became loyal for the higher
one

. Demesne- part of land in a manor controlled by lords

. Manorial lord- administrators of a manor

. Fief- a land given from a king to lords

---During the Medieval period the society was divided in to two:

 The privileged upper class- includes king, the nobility, Knights and lords etc.
 The unprivileged lower class- includes the peasants, serfs, soldiers, workers etc.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

---The Roman Catholic Church was the only unifying and civilizing force or institution in
Europe after the fall of Western Roman Empire.

--- The following are the roles of Roman Catholic Church

 Spread the Roman ideas of governance and justice for Barbarians

 Played a leadership role in government and maintained law and order
 Kept the achievements of Classical civilization
 Served like hospital for the sick and as inns for travelers
 It was a center of teaching and learning. Catholic Church supported the
continuation of Latin language and alphabet as a written language in most parts
of Europe except in Balkan and Eastern Europe.

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 4.2 THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE OR EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE

---In 330 AD, Roman Emperor Constantine changed the capital city of Roman Empire
from Rome to Constantinople. After the division of Roman Empire in 395AD,
Constantinople served the political center of the new Empire. The question over the
authority of the Roman Catholic Pope was the basic factor for the division of Western
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church.

---- Why Byzantine Empire survived from the attack of Barbarians?

. Physically far from the attack of Barbarians

. Richer and populous from Western Roman

. Defensive strategy

ADMANISTRATION AND SOCIETY

---Ruled by absolute king. The king was also low maker. The people pay heavy tax.
Farmers were the majority. There were also merchants, crafts, workers etc.

TERRITORY

---Includes Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Balkan Peninsula and Palestine are the territories
under Byzantine Empire.

 Byzantine Empire reached peak under Emperor Justinian I (r.527-565AD). During

the time of Justinian Italy, parts of Spain and Tunisia added in to his Empire.

ACHIEVMENTS OF BYZANTINE EMPIRE

 Justinian code- it was a code of laws introduced by Emperor Justinian. It also

borrowed ideas from the previous Roman law.
 Like Roman Catholic Church preserved the achievements of Greek and Roman
civilization.
 It served a bridge between the ancient and modern European civilization.
 Spread Christianity to Russia and Slavic peoples of Balkan.
 Invented alphabet (later called Cyrillic) for the old Slavic languages. This alphabet
is used in Russia and Balkan countries.
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  Translated Bible in to the old Slavic languages

THE FALL OF EASTEN ROMAN EMPIRE

---The collapse of Byzantine Empire started since 11C AD.

 In 1071 AD-the Normans invaded Italy. In the same year Seljuk Turks defeated
Byzantine Empire at the battle of Manzikert. It caused Byzantine Empire to loss
Asia Minor.
 In 1081AD, Alexius Comnenus asked Western Europeans to support in Crusaded.
Finally, in 1453AD Emperor Constantine IX defeated by Ottoman Turks and this
marked the end of Eastern Roman Empire.

4.3 THE RISE AND EXPANSION OF ISLAM

KEY WORDS

 Islam- is a religion based on the teaching of Prophet Mohammed (570-

632AD).It is an Arabic word, meaning surrender or submission to the will of
God or Allah.
 . Muslim- the followers of Islam

---The central teaching of Islam is there is only one God and Prophet Mohammed is his
messenger. The religion also teaches that all Muslims are equal before God and thus all
Muslims belong to one community called Umma.

 Caliph- is the head of Umma.

BASIC FEATURES OF ISLAM AND THE ARABIAN WORLD

--The Arabs are Semitic speaking peoples that led a nomadic life. Pre-Islamic Arabia was
politically disunited entity that led nomadic pastoralist and trade.

. They organized in clan to preserve low and order in the society. Each clan was led by
tribal head or Shiek, who was mostly elected by a council of elders.

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 - Initially, they were polytheists, meaning worship many gods and goddesses. Their
god was mainly symbolized by a sacred stone.
- Prophet Mohammed began teaching in 610AD. Immediately, the Quarysh chiefs
started persecuted the followers of Prophet.

Q. Why Quarysh Arabs and wealthy merchants persecuted the followers of Prophet
Mohammed?

--- In 622AD Prophet Mohammed and his followers fled from Mecca to Medina or
Tatharib( later named Medinat al-Nabih, the city of Prophet). This event was called
Hijira. It was the first year of Islamic calendar.

. Ansar (the Helpers)-inhabitants of Medina who invited Prophet Mohammed to came

to their town.

. Muhajiran- those who under took Hijira.

. Shaba (the companion of the Prophet)-formed by the above to two groups.

ISLAMIC SECTS

--Before his death, Prophet indicated that governing the community should base on
Shura or consultation.

. After the death of Prophet Mohammed in 632 AD, four successive Caliphs were
elected and designated as Caliph (Imam) to rule the Muslim world.

--They were: Abu Baker-632-634, Umar-634-644, Uthman -644-656 and Ali-656-61.

. The above caliphs were from the Quarysh tribe and related with Prophet Mohammed
by marriage. But Ali was Prophets Cousin.

A.KHARIJITES-in 656AD, dissatisfied groups by the policies of Uthman (the third Caliph)
murdered him. Then Ali elected in Medina to govern the Umma.

. But the election of Ali was not supported by some of the companions, especially by
Muawiya, the governor of Syria.

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---Those who opposed Ali were called Kharijites. They are minorities found in Maghreb
region.

---The following are the ideas supported by Kharajitis

. If one person has an ample qualification: piety, integrity and religious knowledge,
he led the Muslim world as Imam. This made them more puritanical and democratic
sect.

. They asserted that anyone guilty of a serious sin was unbeliever and apostate and
should therefore put to death.

B. SHIITES- according to Shiites, the descendent of Ali were preferred once to lead the
Muslim world. They are divinely appointed rulers, teachers of faithful and possessed
super human qualities to become Imam.

--- Quran, Hadith of the Prophet and the Imams and consensus of Imams and reason
are the sources of law for the followers of Shiites.

. Shiites believed the coming of Mehedi (the rightly guided one) and the Expected
Deliverer that restored jutice.

ISLAMIC SHCOOLS

---Between the 8th and 9th centuries, Muslim schools codified the whole Islamic
Laws. The give priority to one or the other two sources of law: that is analogy and
consensus. Madhhab is an Islamic term that refers to a school of thought or religious
jurisprudence, or fiqh, within Sunni Islam. Each of the Sahaba had a unique school of
jurisprudence, but these schools were gradually consolidated or discarded so that
there are currently four recognized schools.
---The differences between these schools of thought manifest in minor practical
differences, as most Sunni Muslims consider them all fundamentally the same.
Sunnis generally do not identify themselves with a particular school of thought —
simply calling themselves "Sunnis".

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1. Hanafi – Founded by Imam Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man, is the largest school of thought
followed by most Muslims around the world. It is predominant among Sunni Muslims in
Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, northern Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Balkans and in
many western countries.
2. Shafi`i – was founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi`i, is the second largest
school of thought in terms of followers. It is practiced throughout the Muslim world,
but is most prevalent in Egypt, Somalia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines,
among Kurds, and is officially followed by the governments of Brunei and Malaysia.
3. Maliki – school derives from the work of Imam Malik ibn Anas. It is practiced in North
and West Africa. It is the third-largest of the four schools.
4. Hanbali –is considered to be the most conservative of the four schools and the one
that relies on Hadith. Hanbalis reject the use of philosophical argument in matters of
religious belief. The school was started by the students of Imam Ahmad. Hanbali
jurisprudence is predominant among Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula.

---Shafi and Hanbali schools are the main schools of Islamic law in Ethiopia.

The Ottoman Turkish Empire

Pre-History

---Turks were nomadic pastoralist peoples of Central Asia.

 Before they accept Islam in the 10 C AD they worshiped traditional religion.

 The term Ottoman came from Osman, the founder and the first leader of the
Empire
 Before the establishment of a strong Ottoman Empire, Turks served in military
regiments of the Abbasid Caliphate. After the disintegration of the Abbasid
Caliphate Turkish forces that fought for Abbasids took responsibility to protect
the attack of Byzantine Empire in the provinces of the old Empire.

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  More than protecting the expansion of Byzantine Empire, Ottomans led by Alp
Arslan defeated the force of Byzantine at the battle of Manzikert in 1071. The
success of the battle of Manzikert give the following key uses for Ottomans
 It created a fertile ground for Ottomans to control strategic lands in
Asia Minor (the present Turkey)
 The strategic importance of the region caused Turks to dominate the
lucrative trade route of the area.
 It also helped Ottomans so settle in large number in the region

---After the 13th C AD Ottomans further extended their territory in to different

directions.

 In 1453, Ottoman force under the leadership of Sultan Mehmet II Faith, the
Conqueror (r.1451-1481) defeated Byzantine Empire. This caused for the end
of Byzantine Empire and their capital Constantinople controlled by Ottomans
and renamed Istanbul.
 Ottoman Empire reached peak during the reign of Sultan Suleiman I “the
Magnificent” (r.1520-1566). Under his rule in addition to the areas controlled
by the previous leaders of the Empire Iraq, Palestine, Syria and the Arabian
Peninsula in the Middle East and North Africa controlled by them.

Administration

---The Ottoman Sultan was an absolute autocrat “shadow or representative of God on

Earth”.

 Muslims were governed by Sharia. Assigned clergies and the Ulemas by the
Sultan took responsibility to interpret the Sharia.
 Christians and other minority peoples that live within the Ottoman Empire
did not forced to accept Islam by force. They continued by preserving their
religion, custom and culture if they pay tax and other duties for the Sultan.
 The Sultan assigned a chief minister called Grand Vizier below him to give
assistance in administrative affairs and sometimes to lead the army.

Factors that caused for the strength of Ottoman Empire

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 ---The main factor behind the strength of Ottoman Empire was the effective
organization and leadership quality of their army. They built a well-disciplined ground
army and navy. The strong janissary infantry army also uses matchlock muskets and
canon. Ottomans recruited soldiers from any people that live within their territory.

---The division of European states in to different states and the associated civil war
between them helped ottomans to control vast land in Balkan and Eastern Europe.

 Even if, they were weak West Europeans were successful in protecting the
expansion of Ottomans towards Western Europe by preserving Vienna from
Ottomans in 1529 and 1683.

MUSLIM LEGACY

---During the Islamic Golden Age, Muslim scholars made significant advances in science,
mathematics, medicine, astronomy, engineering, and many other fields. During this
time, early Islamic philosophy developed and was often pivotal in scientific debates —
key figures were usually scientists and philosophers. Number of important and original
Arabic works written on the mathematical sciences is much larger than the combined
total of Latin and Greek works on the mathematical sciences.

Ibn Rushd (1126 – December 10, 1198)

---Andalusian Muslim polymath; a master of Aristotelian philosophy, Islamic philosophy,

Islamic theology, Maliki law and jurisprudence, logic, psychology, politics, Arabic music
theory, and the sciences of medicine, astronomy, geography, mathematics, physics and
celestial mechanics

Ibn Sīnā (c. 980 - 1037)

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---Persian origin and the foremost physician and philosopher of his time. He was also
an astronomer, chemist, geologist, Hafiz, Islamic psychologist, Islamic scholar, Islamic
theologian, logician, paleontologist, mathematician, Maktab teacher, physicist, poet,
and scientist.

---He studied medicine under a physician named Koushyar.

---He wrote almost 450 treatises on a wide range of subjects, of which around 240 have
survived. In particular, 150 of his surviving treatises concentrate on philosophy and 40 of
them concentrate on medicine.

---His most famous works are The Book of Healing, a vast philosophical and scientific
encyclopaedia, and The Canon of Medicine, which was a standard medical text at many
medieval universities. The Canon of Medicine was used as a text-book in the universities
of Montpellier and Louvain as late as 1650.

4.4 MEDIEVL SOCIETY

Manorialism

---Manorialism is a socio-economic system characterized by the relation between the

privileged landlords and the unprivileged peasants (serfs) during the Medieval Europe.
The word comes from, the Latin word manor, meaning a large estate controlled by a
lord and worked by peasants.

---manor is a small village surrounded by village, farm land, farm buildings, churches a
small grinding grain into flour and a press for making wine.

 In this system most of the land is controlled by land lords. The lord is
responsible to preserve peace and security, provide justice and administer the

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 resource of the areas. In addition to paying various feudal dues peasants were
landless and live in the condition of tenancy.

---The revival of trade and towns in the late 11th C AD caused for the decline of
Manorialism in Western Europe. But the system continued in Central and Eastern
Europe until the late 19th C AD.

The rise of towns and trade

---The rise of Europeans interest for additional resource and trade items were the main
factors for the rise of towns and trade.

---As a result of the rise of towns and trade after the 11th century the importance of
rural areas declined and this in turn caused the rural population to migrate to towns in
large number. The development of towns also caused for the emergence of new
professionals such as bankers, craftsmen, tailors, butchers, carpenters etc.

Medieval Culture

Art

---Freedom, and security offered by cities and towns encouraged the art and learning in
the latter periods of Medieval Age.

 New styles of building and the expansion of universities seen in various parts
of Europe.

---The dominant style of building in the medieval period called Romanesque,

characterized by massive walls, strong columns and rounded arches stopped in the 12 th
Century and replace by Gothic architecture style, which was characterized by high
towers, walls and pointed arches.

Education

---The Roman Catholic Church played a pivotal role in shaping education and preserving
the achievements of the results of Classical civilization during the Medieval Age.

 In this period the rich families educate their childes by employing priests and
bishops in their home. Monasteries and cathedrals of the Roman Catholic
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 Church provided education for the common people in theology, Latin language
and music subjects mostly.

---Like the ancient period, the subjects that were given in church education were
divided in to two:

a. Trivium- consists of grammar, rhetoric and logic

b. Quadrvium-consists of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and harmonics.

---The first modern universities appeared in Europe in the late 11 th century organized by
scholars in corporations with certain privileged and responsibility.

 The largest and the most famous university named the University of Paris is a
model for other universities that opened in Europe.

Crusade

---The word crusade comes from the Latin word crux, meaning cross.

 It was a war between Christian Europeans and Muslim Ottoman Turks to

control the Holy Land.

Root causes of Crusade

A. The defeat of eastern Roman Empire by Seljuk Turks in the battle of Manzikert in
1071 closed Christian pilgrims to reach the holy places of the Middle East.

 The power of Roman Catholic Church became stronger after the 11 th century.
Most Europeans believed that the only source of eternal salvation was the
Roman Catholic Church. This was the main reason for the rise of the authority
of Church and the Pope in Europe.
 The other factor for the rise of the power of Church and pope was creation of
the College of Cardinals in 1059 under the main responsibility of electing the
successor of Pope. It also allowed the Church and the Pope to intervene in the
internal political affairs of European states.
B. To protect the possible expansion of Ottoman Turks in Europe.

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 C. To control natural resources
D. To control the lucrative trade routes of the Balkan and Middle east region.
E. Poor Europeans joined the Crusade to escape from the harsh living conditions.

---From 1096 to 1270, Europeans under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church
conducted eight successive Crusades against the Muslim ottoman Turks.

I. The First Crusade (1096-1099)

---Started after the Emperor of Eastern Roman Empire, Alexius asked assistance from
Pope Urban II and other European Christian states in the war against Turks in 1095.

 In 1095 at the Council of Clermont, France, the Pope called European states for
Crusade by giving promise to provide material reward for the Crusaders for
their deeds.

---The combined forces of France, Normans and the Byzantine Empire defeated
Ottomans army in 1099 and freed the Holy city. Most of crusaders returned home after
the end of the First Crusade.

II. The Second Crusade (1147-1149)

---The invasion of Edessa in 1144 by Ottomans and the harsh treatment on the Christian
communities of the area by the invaders caused the Second Crusade.

 Edessa was one of the Christian states in the Middle East.

---European force led by King Louis VII of France and King Conrad of Germany defeated
by Ottomans and returned home. Disagreement between the leaders of European
forces was the main reason for the failure of the Second Crusade.

III. The Third Crusade (1189-1192)

---The Ottoman governor (Sultan) of Egypt and Syria called Sultan Saladin defeated
Christian force in the battle of Hattin in 1187 and captured Jerusalem.

---European army led by Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) of Germany, King Richard I

(the Lion-Hearted) of England and King Philip II (Augustus) of France started the Third
Crusade to free Jerusalem.
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  The death of Emperor Frederic I in 1190 and the return of the army of Philip II
to home because of disagreement with the forces of King Richard I limited the
success of this campaign. This forced the army of Richard I to confront
Ottomans alone.
 Finally agreement reached between Sultan Saladin and King Richard I, in which
Saladin give permission for Christian pilgrims to enter Jerusalem.

IV. The Fourth Crusade (1202-1204)

---The failure of the Third Crusade caused the Fourth one.

 Again disagreement started between European states on the issue of

Byzantine Empire. This forced Europeans to enter in the internal affairs of
Byzantine Empire. At the end this Crusade ended by the victory of Ottomans.

The Children’s Crusade (1212)

--Thousands European of boys and girls from about 10 to 18 years old participated in
this Crusade.

 They believed God help them in their campaign of liberating Jerusalem by

parting the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. But the majority of child
Crusaders died during the terrible journey because of starvation, the bad
winter weather condition and Ottomans attack. Those who survived at the
end of the Crusade sold in to slavery by Muslims.

V. The Fifth Crusade (1217-1221)

---Europeans planned to attack the cities of Egypt in first and freed Jerusalem by
continuing their attack.

 European Crusaders initially succeeded in capturing Egyptian city Damietta,

but at last the war ended by the victory of Ottomans.

VI. Six Crusade (1228-1229)

---Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire led European Crusaders in the Six
Crusade.

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  This Crusade ended by peace treaty that reached between Ottoman Sultan
and Emperor Frederick II. Accordingly, Jerusalem given to Christians.

VII. Seventh Crusade (1248-1254)

---The Seventh Crusade started after the Muslim forces recaptured Jerusalem in 1244.

 The commander of European force named King Louis IX designed to attack

first Egypt to liberate Jerusalem. But Muslim forces defeated European force
by capturing the king. Because of agreement by the two groups the king freed
at the last of the war.

VIII. Eighth Crusade

---Louis IX again declared the Eighth Crusade on Muslims to free the Holy city by
revenging the defeat on the previous Crusade.

 The death of King Louis IX because of the beginning of epidemic disease in his
army. The final Crusade ended by the defeat of European army.

The end of Crusade

---The beginning of the Great Age of Exploration and Discovery and the discovery of
new lands reduced the interest of European powers in the Middle East region.

Effects of Crusade

 With the exception of limited success, Europeans failed to control the Holy Land.
 The rise of trade in the Mediterranean Sea and other areas increased economic
development
 The beginning of Capitalist economy
 Give an important lesson for Europeans to modernize their maritime
technologies such as ships, maps, compass …
 It also caused for the beginning of new ideas of democracy such as separation of
church and state
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4.5 MIDDLE AGE IN FAR EAST

A.INDIA

---The period from 300-500 AD was the era of greatness in the history of Medieval
India. It was characterized by the revival of art, literature, science and trade. India
exported trade items like dyes and spices to China and as far as Egypt.

---Foreign invasion mainly from Huns led by Attila, Persians, Turks and Arabs ended the
glorious period of India in 500AD. These peoples conducted large scale invasion in
700AD.

. Turks ruled India from 500- 1500AD by using Delhi their political center.

. Mongols under the leader ship of Tamerlane caused great destruction on Delhi in
1398AD, but the Turkish rule continued until 1500AD.

---Religion especially Hinduism and Islam strongly influenced Indian art, literature,
architecture etc.

 Taj Mshal that constructed around 1600 was the best example.
B. CHINA

Q. Identify the dynasties that ruled China in the ancient period.

I. Shang Dynasty-c.1700-1122BC III. Qin (Chou) Dynasty- 221-581AD

II. Zhou Dynasty- c.1122-221BC

FEATURES AND RULING DYNASTIES DURING THE MEDIEVAL AND MODERN CHINA

I. SUI DYNASTY (581-618AD)

---Unified China after 400 years of civil war.

---The construction of the Grand Canal in 605AD connected the southern and northern
China

II. TANG DYNASTY (618-907AD)

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---Xian was the capital city of Tang dynasty

---It was a period of prosperity and great cultural change

---Chinese great poets such as Li Bo and Du Fu wrote during this period

--- The influence of Buddhism remain great during Tang and the revival of Confucius
started in the 9th CAD

---Tang dynasty ended in 907 AD and dynastic conflict or war continued until 960Ad.

III. SONG DYNASTY (960-1279AD)

---Kaiteng was the political center

---Song rulers establish a system of civil service examination that had been started
during Tang dynasty. This made government position controlled by individual talent.

---The beginning of Neo-Confucism as the official state philosophy

--- Gun powder, magnetic compass and movable printing invented during this period

---The invasion of nomadic tribes from northern China forced the rulers of Song dynasty
to change their center towards southern China and changed their dynasty to Southern
Song in 1126 and ruled China until 1279AD.

. Hongzhou was the new capital city

IV. YUAN DYNASTY (1279-1368AD)

---It was a foreign dynasty in the history of China. Established by Mongol peoples

---During this period Marco Polo, Venice travelers came to China

V. MING DYNASTY (1368-1688AD)

--- Ming rulers ended foreign rule in China

---Chinese literacy and art again flourished

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VI. QING DYNASTY (1644-1912AD)

---Established by Manchu peoples.

---Ruled China until the establishment of republic of China under the leader ship of Dr.
Sun Yat Sen

C. JAPAN

---Japanese civilization much influenced by Chinese civilization. They borrowed the

results of Chinese civilization and Japanized them by adding their invention.

. Japan was ruled by kings but real power was controlled by military cliques or
Shoguns.

 KEY WORDS ON JAPAN

 Daimyos- feudal lords of Japan
 Samurai- the great feudal worriers
 Han or fief- feudal lands of Japan

--Japan entered in to continuous civil war between the great feudal lords or Samurai
from 1490-1603.

. Finally, Tokugawa Shogun under the leadership of Ieyasu remain successful in

defeating all Shoguns and ruled Japan from 1603-1867.

---Similar to Europe, Japan was under feudal system of administration during this
period.

. But few elements of Capitalism like the use of money lending at interest, the
development of cities, towns, commerce etc seen in Japan.

 The society of Japan were divided in to two social classes:

I. Privileged class-include the ruling class such as Shogun, the Daimyos and
Samurai.

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 II. Common people- include merchants, craftsmen, peasants and the great mass
of the people.

---Following the Great Age of Exploration and Discoveries, Japanese feudal lords started
diplomatic and economic relation with Europeans.

. By using this relation Catholic missionary’s changed large number of Japanese

people to Catholicism around 1615.

---Latter Japanese leaders ordered all Japanese Christians to give up an alien religion
and executed if they refused.

 Japanese Seclusion Policy-it was a policy of Japanese government to stop any

type o diplomatic relation with the outside world.

. Dutch’s were the only Europeans that allowed to trade with Japan. Even the
Dutch’s restricted to Deshima Island in Nagasaki.

---This policy hammered Japanese economic, political and military growth.

4.6 The Development of Early Capitalism in the Middle Age

Capitalism

---In the latter periods of the Middle Age (1000-1500), the economy of Europe
expanded. But this development interrupted or show slow progress from 1337 to 1453.
The following are reasons that caused for the decline of Europeans economic
development in this period

 The beginning of Hundred Wars between England and France

 The breakdown of feudalism and manorialism caused civil wars in most parts of
the continent
 The beginning of peasant rebellion because of the existing oppressive and
exploitive socio-economic condition
 The effect of Black Death. It was caused by the beginning of plague. The Black
Death killed a fourth of European population from 1347 to 1352.

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---The economic development again started in faster rate after the second half of the
15th century. This economic development caused for the revival of Capitalist economy
and society.

---Characteristics of Capitalist Economy

 The revival of free market economy

 Land is an absolute private property
 Labor is free in order to work for money wages
 Abolition of serfdom and slavery
 Business men are respected and profit making is strongly motivated in the
society
 Accumulation of money by the business men caused for the expansion of
investment
 The growth of trade
 Urbanization or the development of cities and towns
 The emergence of new class such as bankers, shop keepers, merchants…

---But legal equality between all citizens did not come in most of Europe until after the
1789 French Revolution.

Towns and Long distance trade

---After the revival of capitalism towns and cities used in the following ways

 Centers of universities
 Centers of industries
 Chosen place of residence for feudal lords
 Centers of political administration after the rise of the power of kings
 Religious and cultural centers
 Church leaders such as archbishops and bishops chose for residence and
administration

---The revival of financial trade benefited only few towns. This in turned forced few
cities to attain a city republic to administer themselves independently. Venice, an
Italian city is good example for this.

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---The accumulation of wealth by rich citizens, usually by merchants caused for the
prevalence of inequality in most of Europe.

Technology

---Important technological advancement seen in agricultural, transportation, financial

and other sectors. This in turn caused for the growth of production and consolidation of
Capitalism in the latter periods.

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 .

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