Why were the ‘middle ages’ so called?
The time-span in which the feudal system operated was known as the middle ages. The term medieval correctly mediaeval is formed form two Latin words ‘Medius & Aevun’ (middle ages.) This time was known as the middle ages because it lies between the classical age of antiquity the period known as the renaissance or Revival of learning.
What does Cowie describe as ‘the greatest human achievement of the medieval period?
According to Cowie, the greatest human achievement was the local monasteries, the stately ruins of which can still be seen in many parts of Europe today, not just for the architecture but for their value in terms of society as they acted as the schools, hospitals, universities and churches of the medieval time.
Why was excommunication such a fearful punishment in medieval times?
Excommunication was one of the most fearful punishments in medieval because at the time only priests could create the ‘link’ between an individual and god. They would withdraw this form of communication form offenders. This meant that as an offender your sins could not be forgiven and that you would have to live with the guilt without getting it out of you system. As everyone at the time was very religious they were influenced by the church and believed this and in the after death they would be tormented by the sins.
What does ‘Renaissance’mean?
The Renaissance was the sponsorship of a new era of learning. Where curiosity in the middle class turned to a sense of enterprise and energy. It also means the ‘revival of learning,’ because it marked the return of an interest of literature and art.
Why was the new middle class of merchants such an important factor in the development of the Renaissance?
The middle class of merchants was such an important factor in the development of the renaissance because they were a class between aristocracy and peasantry. And that they were the middle-men between producers and consumers. They broadened the mind and created a great deal of curiosity.
Why did the Renaissance lead to a weakening in the authority of the church?
The renaissance lead to the weakening of the authority of the church because the spread of knowledge has greatly expanded the opportunities, city-dwelling class ceased to be a part of the clergy. The pope gradually lost control of the Christian people to avoid the loss of faith in Italy.
Whose criticisms of the church led to the reformation and split within Christianity between Catholicism and Protestantism?
The criticisms of Martin Luther led to the reformations and split within Christianity, forming the Protestants. The protest of how an individual could seek their own communion with god, Martin Luther was given excommunication from the church and formed the Protestants form the protests.
What French word meaning ‘men of the towns’ has been used as a term for the new investing and trading class?
The ‘bourgeoisie’ was the French word meaning men of boroughs (towns) and was used to describe the new trading and investing class.
Which word (from German) had been used to describe workers or wage earners?
The German word, which had been used to describe workers or wage earners, was ‘the Proletariat’ (exploited wage earners.)
What factors, according to Cowie, combined to produce the ‘Age of Discovery’?
The factors that combined to produce the ‘Age of Discovery’ were, Curiosity, Investment, Royal sponsorship and Missionary zeal.
Cowie lists several Enlightenment thinkers responsible for ‘liberating humankind from the bondage (slavery) of feudalism’. Research the life and work of the ‘Norfolk boy’ Thomas Paine.
Thomas Paine, 1737-1809. Thomas Paine was an individual Englishman who had a very persuasive effect on both the American war of independence and the French Revolution. At the age of thirty seven the ‘Norfolk Boy,’ moved to America, at this the United States was made up of many colonies belonging to Britain, although the American wanted independence. In 1776, Paine published a speech, ‘Common Sense’ this then urged the whole of America to break away from the Empire. Thomas Paine remained in America for around another ten years, continuing to publish these pamphlets and speeches. He later returned to England in 1787 trying to persuade England and France to overthrow their monarchies and become republic. He then later published a book called ‘The Rights Of A Man’, and was later accused of treason, but escaped to France to avoid capture. At this time the French were in the middle of a Revolution and the leaders welcomed him. He became unpopular when he disagreed to the execution of the king and was imprisoned for a year. Paine then published a third book, ‘The Age Of Reason’ and died shortly after in New York.
Why does Karl Marx see the most significant feature of capitalist society as ‘the class war’?
Karl Marx saw ‘the class war as the most significant feature of the capitalist society because although the two classes were different the immediate aim of the communists was the same as the proletariat. They both wanted to overthrow the bourgeoisie, as they were a profit seeking class.
What, according to Cowie, is ‘the most distinctive feature of modern society’?
According to Cowie, the most distinctive feature of modern society is the ‘rapidity of change,’ and contending opinions and attitudes. Societies are characterised by complexity and change.
