We start today!

The course of study for AP European history is 1450-1990's. However, to better understand WHERE Europe is in 1450 (the Dark Ages, the Medieval Era, Middle Ages-All mean the same) we have to understand WHAT helped cause the change. Instead of the podcasts for the 100 Years War, the Great Schism, and the Black Death i am attaching a history channel documentary called the Black Plague of Europe. It will be INCREDIBLY important and informative to help you understand WHERE Europe is PRIOR to 1450. It will cover the previous themes. Please take notes on this documentary, add them to what will be your future lecture notes. Some of the information will be helpful in completing your graphic organizer. (Although, your textbook is FAR superior). 

 

Link to the "Black Plague of Europe"

 

The term i used, "Renaissance" should be familiar. You learned about it in 7th Grade. It implies "rebirth;" Rebirth from the Dark Ages/Medieval Era/Middle Ages. The birthplace of the Renaissance is most argued as Florence, Italy. The family which rules Florence: The Medici family. A Rich, SUPER Rich banking family. Below is the Birth of a Dynasty Documentary. YOU MAY use notes from this on your first day of school exam. (remember, your first day of school exam will be geography from the map, the Medici Documentary as well as Chapter nine reading) 

 

 

******Italy does NOT Exist at this point. It won't exist for another 400 Years. The "Italian Peninsula" is broken up into different city states and republics. Venice (due to it's great shipping empire) emerges as a leader. Florence will quickly emerge as rich and influential state as well. Note: The term "state" that I am using means something wholly different than what you are familiar with. We think of a "state" as California, Arizona, Vermont, etc. A state is really a "country." (The founding fathers of the USA saw each "state" as it's own country.-You can save that for APUSH!) 

 

Christianity has evolved significantly over the last two thousand years. Up until the 16th Century, the only MAJOR Christian denomination in the world was known as the ROMAN Catholic Church. It is led by the Pope. The Pope wields HUGE amounts of power. He is spiritual leader of all Catholics globally(then as well as today) and controlled vast amounts of land. From the beginning of our class he is really just like a King. We will see the evolution of Catholicism, the Papacy (the pope's leadership), as well as Christianity as a whole this year.