The West or Western Civilization

600s-1400s ce

What is the West anyway?

The WEST or Western Civilization refers to Western Europe and then later will include the

United States.

Western Europe

Compared with Byzantine, Chinese, and Islamic Empire

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.

In Western Europe . . .

• Political rulers were weaker

• The Church leaders & landed nobility challenged monarch’s power.

• Weak central governments

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)

In Western Europe . . .

• Women had higher status

• Monogamy!• Female religious

groups• Had access to

economic activities• property rights &

divorce rights

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)

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

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