1. The West or
Western Civilization
600s-1400s ce
What is the West anyway?

4. The WEST or Western Civilization refers to
Western Europe and then later will include the
United States.

5. Western Europe
Compared with
Byzantine, Chinese,
and Islamic Empire

7. In Western Europe . . .
• There was less political
unity and more
competition between
regions
• Regional Wars
• There was no “Empire” in
the West like Islamic,
Chinese, Byzantine, etc.

8. In Western Europe . . .
• Political rulers were
weaker
• The Church leaders &
landed nobility challenged
monarch’s power.
• Weak central governments

9. In Western Europe . . .
• The cities were more independent and
powerful
– Merchants had more freedom
• There was more separation between
political and religious life
• There was a strong emphasis on
human REASON in academics
– Aristotle and Greek rationality were
emphasized (Aquinas)

10. In Western Europe
...
• Women had
higher status
• Monogamy!
• Female religious
groups
• Had access to
economic activities
• property rights &
divorce rights

11. W. Europe adapted new technology
•
•
•
•
•
(borrowed from)
Iron horseshoes & horse collar (China)
Cross-bow & Gunpowder
(China/Islamic Civ)
Magnetic compass (China & IslamicCiv)
Lateen sail (Islamic)
Paper (China)

12. Also . . .
• Heavy wheeled plow
• Crop rotation (3 field system)
• Water mills and engineering power

13. CONTINUITIES – W European
characteristics that continued past the
1400s
• Crusading element of European
expansion
• Military conflicts between European
territories
• Emphasis on reason
• Split in Christianity
• Separation of religious and political
authority