The document defines the West as Western Europe and later the United States. It discusses some key characteristics of Western Europe between 600-1500 CE compared to other civilizations like Byzantine, Chinese, and Islamic Empires. Specifically, it notes that Western Europe had less political unity, more powerful cities and merchants, a separation of political and religious life, an emphasis on human reason in academics, and higher status of women with practices like monogamy and female religious orders. The document also lists some technological innovations borrowed from other cultures like China and the Arab world as well as some continuities of Western European characteristics past 1400.

1. The West 600-1500
What is the West anyway?

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

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

5. In Western Europe . . .
• There was less political
unity and more
competition between
regions
– More militarized
– Is competition good?

6. In Western Europe . . .
• The political rulers were
weaker –
– The Church and warriorelite class challenged
their power

7. 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

8. In Western Europe
...
• Women had
higher status
– Monogamy
– Female religious
orders
– No veiling nor
seclusion

9. 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

10. European Technology (borrowed from)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Iron horseshoes & horse collar (China)
Cross-bow (Arab)
Gunpowder (China)
Magnetic compass (China & Arab)
Lateen sail (Arab)
Paper (China)

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