HIST 131 Early Western Civilization
Summer 2011 Dr. Sayegh
FINAL STUDY GUIDE
Format: There are four parts to this test consisting of a map question, short
answers/identifications and one longer essay.
I. MAP: you will need to be able to locate the following places on a map of Europe (not all on
this list will be chosen on the test): Mediterranean Sea, English Channel, Iberian Peninsula,
Florence / Tuscany, Spain, Portugal, The Azores, Madeira Island, Canary Islands, Granada,
Iceland, France, Constantinople, Mecca (outside of the map), England, Ireland, Scotland, Holy
Roman Empire, Kievan Rus, Russia, Moscow, The Netherlands, Flanders, Gibralter, The Danube,
The Rhine River, The Baltic Sea, The North Sea (10 @ 2 pts=20pts)
II. Four short-answer questions: will ask you to identify a person or a term in detail (one
paragraph providing the who, what, where, when and how). In these answers, you should also
link the answer to the broader themes of the course (explain its significance). I will pull the
identifications from the terms listed below (taken both from textbook reading and lecture).
(4@10pts=40pts)
Iconoclastic Controversy – took place during the 700s and initiated by Leo and continued by his
son Constantine, iconoclasts began to question whether icons were allowed, for the 10
Commandments prohibits engraved images. It was resolved in the 9th century (back to the status
quo), The pope at the time (Gregory III) didn’t condone it/loss of religious authority and
excommunication, shifting from material to immaterial,
hegira (hijrah) – (622) migration of the prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) to
escape persecution.
Bartolomé de las Casas – Spanish priest who questioned the conquistadores method of violent
conversion. Wrote “Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies (1552)”, a critique of the
Spanish to encourage reform (NOT the Black Legend) and promoted the idea of kinder, gentler,
colonization.
Hanseatic League – formed in 12th century by German merchants, lasted until 1669. regulated
trade and established tariffs. 100 to 200 members, those with most power were those who
attended meetings. centered at top end of roman empire, protected trade of these people, grain,
fish, birds, wheat. declines when dutch and english merchants become more powerful.
Thomas More – wrote Utopia, part of the humanist movement, arrested and killed after he quit
his job, didn’t approve of Henry’s divorce/split in church
volta do mar – “return through the sea,” navigational technique that involved catching winds in
order to return to Europe from Atlantic voyages. Europeans navigated the sea, but did not cross
the sea. Included use of islands of the coast of Africa (Azores, Madeira Islands, Canary Islands).
justification by faith – Martin Luthor, the father of reformation 1483-1546 believed Jesus died
for one’s sins. he believed if you have faith, you then were saved and did not need to buy
indulgences.
manorialism – economic not a political system. the geographic outline of a manor included the
manor house, parsonage and church, village, common lands, and fields (fallow, planting,
meadow, and woodlands – 3 fields crop rotation)
Great Schism – (1378-1417) division of the church between allegiance to Italian and French
popes. After Pope Urban VI decides to reside in Rome, angry French cardinals elect their own
French pope. During this time all of Europe divides their allegiance between rival popes. Not
caused by doctrinal differences, but political differences. Ultimately resolved.
Friar Tetzel/Priest Tetzel – hawking indulgences to people, disliked by Martin Luther
Council of Clermont – Urban II called the council together
○ Byzantine emperor Alexius sent a letter to pope Urban II asking for help against
the Turks so…Urban called a council together to discuss and convince the council
to stand against the Muslims and fight
Reconquista- getting Spain “back” from the Muslims (basically kicking them out), 1480’s end,
Spain is reconquered for Spanish
printing press – imported, not a European invention, led to rapid spread of print culture,
stimulated literacy in general population, allowed print to be easily recreated. 1450, enabled
global phenom similar to Internet expansion of communication, gov officials can’t keep things
under control, communication is wider, things will be printed the same way.
