Europe

Periodization-
Ancient Greece—Archaic Greece: 1650 BC-700 BC
“Hellenic” (classical) Greece: 700 BC-324 BC
“Hellenistic” Greece: 324 BC-100 BC

Ancient Rome—Roman Republic-
509 BC-27BC
Civil War and Dictators: 200 BC-45 BC
Pax Romana (Peace of Rome):27 BC-140 AD
Empire in Crisis: 3rd century

Middle Ages—
Early Middle Ages: 500-1000
High Middle Ages: 1000-1250
Late Middle Ages: 1250-5000

• Roman Law: There was a definite law code created in the Roman states.  The 12 Tables displayed the laws of Rome, providing political and social rights for plebeians.  There was also a government in Rome consisting of 2 consuls, a senate and a tribal assembly.Athens vs. Sparta:  These were the two most powerful city-states of Greece.  Athens was the more cultural of the city-states and had a strong navy, while Sparta was known for the strength of their land militarily and the strength of their soldiers.
• The “Golden Age” of Pericles: (460 BC-429 BC) This was the peak of the strength of the cultural and military power of Athens.  During this time period there are many philosophers, including Socrates (“Know Thyself”) and Plato.  This is also the time of the drama and many new advances in science, including Pythagoras, Democritus and Hippocrates.  This is also when the Parthenon was built.
• Byzantine Empire: This empire was formed after the decline of Rome.  This empire codifies Rome Law (Corpus Juris Civiles), thus preserving these laws and much of the cultures of Rome and Greece.
• Feudalism: This was a system during the Middle Ages where the vassal pledges loyalty and service to a lord in return for land and protection.  In this system and during the Middle Ages there was a strict road to knighthood and a life of prestige, which was a pageàsquireàknight
• Manorialism: This was another system during the Middle Ages in which peasants land tenure was recorded, and local justice and taxation was administered.
• Crusades: (1096-1204) Military campaigns and pilgrimages by European Christians to win the Holey Land from the Muslims.
• Italian Renaissance: A “rebirth of culture” following the Middle Ages, where there was a new movement named humanism and a new importance placed on the individual.  There was many important artists including Leonardo De Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.
• Humanism: A new belief created and inspiring the Italian Renaissance, which was a belief in the importance of the individual, the idea that humans can accomplish great things without regard to religious factors.  Humanism also emphasized worldly items rather than religious ones.
• Machiavelli: wrote the book The Prince during the Renaissance and created a Machiavellian way to be a leader.  In this way of ruling moral and religion is disregarded and you do anything to remain in power.
• Italian Trade: Because Italy was centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea the country was able to trade with many different cultures.  This made Italy a wealthy place, and the home of the Renaissance.
• Commercial Revolution: Beginning during the 15th century a growth in economic trading.  There was a growth of trade within Western Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean.  This is the time where the systems of mercantilism and capitalism develop.
• Treaty of Tordesillas: (1494) The treaty that was made to prevent fighting between the Portuguese and Spanish, the first two countries of explore and colonize land, on territorial claims.  Spain obtained all of the Americas except for Brazil, which was given to Portugal.
• Reformation: A movement against the Catholic Church starting during the 14th century following the church abusing their powers (example: indulgences).  This movement questioned the Catholic churches principles and practices, and was led by Luther, Zwingli and Calvin.  There was also a Catholic/counter reformation, reaffirming the churches doctrine and creating the Jesuits.
• Martin Luther: Leader of the Reformation and founder of Lutheranism.  In 1517 he put up the 95 Theses, beginning the Reformation, which proclaimed all of the problems with the Catholic Church.  Luther placed an importance on the bible, and all people being able to read the bible.
• Peter the Great: (1685-1725) monarch of Russia who was an absolutist ruler.  His goal was to westernize Russia, to make the country like the rest of Europe, and to modernize Russia.   He encouraged new industries, a civil service, and built St. Petersburg (“The Window to the West”).
• Mercantilism: a system of economy created during the time of the Commercial Revolution.  This system wanted colonies, as a place to get raw materials and to sell the countries goods, tariffs were placed on imported goods to promote industries, and a countries goal was to have more exports than imports.
• Divine Right Monarchy:  The idea that God has given a ruler the right to rule.  This theory led to the Age of Absolutism.  An example of an absolutist rule is Louis XIV (the sun king) in France.
• Parliamentary system in Britain: The Parliament in Britain has always had power over the king.  In Britain the king has never had absolute power, starting with the Magna Carta limiting the kings powers, and the Great Council, which led to the creation of Parliament.
• Enlightenment: a.k.a. the “age of reason” was an intellectual movement during the 17th and 18th centuries.  It was sparked by the Scientific Revolution and encouraged people to question everything.  Writers of the enlightenment, all French, were Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot.
• Locke: a major writer during the enlightenment who believed that humans have three main rights “Life, Liberty and Land” and when these rights are taken away people have the right to rebel against their government.
• Rousseu: wrote The Social Contract, which stated citizens coming together can end inequality among people and agreeing to a general will.  The government should carry out the general will.