Bentley Ch. 16 Christian Society In Western Europe

The moldboard plow was an essential element in the production of an agricultural surplus in western Europe in the eighth century C.E. because it had multiple benefits. Firstly, it made it possible to aerate the soil and break up weeds, allowing farmers to cultivate lands that were previously unsuitable for agriculture. Additionally, when used with heavy draft animals, it had enough energy to pull through moist northern soils, which were common in western Europe. Lastly, the successful use of the moldboard plow stimulated other agricultural innovations, leading to increased productivity and surplus.

Charlemagne hoped to build a western European empire that could compete with his contemporaries, the Abbasids and Byzantines. This indicates that Charlemagne aimed to establish a powerful and influential empire in the region, challenging the dominance of these two major empires. By rivaling the Abbasids and Byzantines, Charlemagne sought to assert his authority and expand his influence in Western Europe.

The correct answer is that disease and uncertainty limited agricultural surplus for 800 years. This is supported by the fact that the population of western Europe took eight centuries to recover from the demise of the western Roman empire. Disease and uncertainty would have had a significant impact on agriculture, leading to a limited surplus and therefore a slower population recovery.

The technology of watermills freed human and animal labor for other work. Watermills were able to harness the power of flowing water to grind grain and perform other tasks that were previously done manually or by animals. This allowed people and animals to be utilized for other types of work, such as agriculture or manufacturing. This advancement in technology increased productivity and efficiency in western European life.

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St. Benedict of Nursia is credited with establishing a standard for monastic life. He is known for writing the Rule of Saint Benedict, which became the foundation for Western monasticism. This rule emphasized a balanced and disciplined approach to monastic life, with a focus on prayer, work, and community living. St. Benedict's influence on monasticism was significant, as his rule was widely adopted by monasteries throughout Europe and continues to be followed by Benedictine communities today.

All three, medieval European monasteries, Buddhist monasteries in Asia, and Muslim charitable religious foundations, shared the characteristic of providing a variety of social services to the people in their surrounding communities. They were not only places of religious worship but also served as centers for education, healthcare, and assistance to the needy. These institutions played a crucial role in supporting and uplifting the communities they were a part of, regardless of their religious differences.

The statement "They could NOT be bought and sold like slaves" is true regarding a serf's life on a manor. Unlike slaves, serfs were not considered property and could not be bought or sold by their lords. Serfs were bound to the land and had certain obligations to their lord, but they were not treated as commodities to be bought or sold.

During the time period of 500-1000 C.E. in western Europe, towns served as economic gathering places for the sale or exchange of locally produced goods. This means that these towns were hubs of economic activity, where people would come together to buy, sell, and trade goods that were produced locally. Unlike in the Roman empire, where towns played a role in integrating economic activities from distant regions, the towns in western Europe during this period focused primarily on facilitating local economic transactions.

The pairing of Saxons with Denmark is incorrect because the Saxons were actually a Germanic tribe that inhabited parts of present-day Germany and the Netherlands, not Denmark. Denmark was primarily inhabited by the Danes, who were also a Germanic tribe but distinct from the Saxons.

Clovis' conversion and allegiance to Roman Catholicism led to support from the Pope and the Roman Catholic church. This support was crucial for the rise of the Franks as the dominant Germanic group in Europe during the fifth through ninth centuries. The alliance with the Pope and the Roman Catholic church provided the Franks with religious legitimacy and political backing. It allowed them to gain the support and loyalty of other Christian kingdoms and expand their influence. Additionally, the conversion to Roman Catholicism helped to unify the Franks internally and establish a common identity among their subjects.

Monasteries contributed to the expansion of agricultural production in early modern Europe by organizing the labor required for land development. They played a crucial role in clearing forests, draining swamps, and preparing lands for cultivation. This helped to increase the availability of arable land and fostered agricultural growth.

Medieval Europe in 1000 C.E. and India during the postclassical era share several similarities politically. Both regions were characterized by a feudal system, where power was decentralized and local lords held significant authority. Additionally, both regions experienced the rise of regional kingdoms and empires, such as the Holy Roman Empire in Europe and the Chola Dynasty in India. Furthermore, both regions faced external invasions and conflicts, which influenced their political landscape. Therefore, India during the postclassical era is the most similar politically to Medieval Europe in 1000 C.E.