History - September 2007

During the Middle Ages, the clergy had tremendous secular power. Why, popes were able to crown and dethrone kings! In 800 C.E., Pope Leo III crowned the Frankish king Charlemagne as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. For a thousand years, this empire represented the union of Church and State, and during that time the clergy enjoyed varying degrees of power over secular authorities.

Beginning in the 11th century, the papacy took over the role of leader in Europe. In this regard, The Columbia History of the World, edited by John Garraty and Peter Gay, says: “The church was Europe’s greatest government.” This book also observes that the church was able to “wield more political power than any other Western government.” What was the situation of the people under clergy rule?

No one was free to worship as he pleased or to express opinions conflicting with those of the clergy. This clerical intolerance created a climate of fear throughout Europe. The church established the Inquisition to root out individuals who dared to hold different views. Considered heretics, they were brought before inquisitors, who tortured them for confessions. Often, those found guilty were burned at the stake.

Regarding clergy rule in Spain, The Columbia History of the World states: “Wars and the crusading ideology had welded together an orthodox and snobbish aristocracy and clergy which held all the reins of power in the state. Intellectual life had been crippled by censorship and the Inquisition, which had been used against anyone protesting against either official theology or state policy.”

In his book The Age of Faith, Will Durant said: “Making every allowance required of an historian and permitted to a Christian, we must rank the Inquisition, along with the wars and persecutions of our time, as among the darkest blots on the record of mankind, revealing a ferocity unknown in any beast.” In the Middle Ages, clergy rule meant the destruction of personal liberties.

Did the Protestant reformer John Calvin differ from the Catholic clergy? Well, consider what happened when Michael Servetus fled from persecution by the Spanish clergy and was apprehended in Geneva, Switzerland. There, Calvin had set up a community over which he and his ministers ruled with absolute power. Because Servetus denied the Trinity, Calvin achieved what had eluded the Inquisition. Servetus was condemned to death for heresy and was burned at the stake. Calvin thus showed the same intolerance as the Catholic clergy.

Did clergy domination of secular governments mean peace for the people of Europe? No, indeed. Instead of enjoying peace, they had to endure years of clergy-inspired warfare. Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade and thus began a series of wars that lasted for 200 years. Moreover, clergy-fomented wars against people considered to be heretics resulted in the death of thousands of men, women, and children.

Did clergy rule eliminate corruption? Not in the least. The book A History of the Modern World, by R. R. Palmer and Joel Colton, states: “Increasingly the life of the church was corrupted by money. No one believed in bribery; but everyone knew that many high churchmen (like many high civil officials of the day) could be bribed.” Corruption among the clergy was a common complaint.

Did clergy rule result in compassion for the common people? By no means. For instance, consider what happened when Cardinal Richelieu of France gained control of governmental affairs during the reign of Louis XIII. The book The History of the Nations, edited by Henry Cabot Lodge, says that Richelieu’s “policy was based on the ruin of the French liberties.”

In Mexico during the 17th century, Indian towns were often ruled by the clergy. According to the book Many Mexicos, by Lesley Simpson, the clergy considered the whipping post “an indispensable aid for implanting and maintaining the Christian virtues, as well as for the punishment of secular offenses.”

History books thus enable us to examine the record of clergy rule over the centuries. What does that record reveal? Shocking disregard for the happiness, well-being, and liberties of the common people. Indeed, clergy rule has been unendurable despotism. As Daniel Defoe wrote in his work The True-Born Englishman: “And of all plagues with which mankind are curst, ecclesiastic tyranny’s the worst.”

Obviously, then, clergy rule is not the answer to man’s need for better government. So, to whom can we turn? The answer is within the reach of everyone, as we shall see.

2007-09-12 15:40:55 · 4 answers · asked by Keith 2

Not that we simple have more collected knowledge now, but that our capacity for understanding has matured and continues to mature? And whatever those people did, thought, and believed is inferior to what we now know?

2007-09-12 14:52:32 · 5 answers · asked by Stranger Danger 2

well our founding fathers wrote the decleration of independence which was to promote liberty but has that dream come true? i mean
WHY did they write it in the first place? cause in my opinion they said all men were created equal and yet slavery was still practiced in those times after it was written so it doesnt make sense
what is ur opinion about all this?

2007-09-12 14:42:44 · 4 answers · asked by ஐﻬ уαмι ηι cнιяυ ѕαкυяα ﻬஐ 6

2007-09-12 14:40:44 · 3 answers · asked by archie k 1

I have World History class. So this teacher assigned a homework of us making a timeline with 6 sentences and we have to order them. So the teacher said to make pictures and color them for each sentence. So the first sentence of my timeline is "Romans Execute Jesus of Nazareth." She said stick firgues are okay. Do you think it is offensive to draw a cross and A stick figure tied up on it? What picture should I draw if my idea is offensive? I don't know exactly about Jesus, but did a Roman use a wepon to execute him? So can I draw a Roman with a wepon. I don't want to draw something bad. :[

2007-09-12 14:16:05 · 8 answers · asked by Alex 2

2007-09-12 14:15:50 · 15 answers · asked by Tim R 1

2007-09-12 14:14:09 · 6 answers · asked by Tim R 1

The problem is that I'm very particular.
I'm looking for a sword that is:
-Not too expensive
-Handcrafted in the UK or Ireland
-Battle-worthy/able to be sharpened

2007-09-12 14:02:47 · 6 answers · asked by Amphibious Nature 3

5 things about the Civil War?? I need to help my child with her homework

2007-09-12 13:36:18 · 6 answers · asked by babi cherries 1

please help with as much of these as you can.

1-this civilazation controlled european trading right
2-this country dominated trade in india in the late 1700s
3-this civilization greatly influenced southeast Asia
4-an indian soldier(another name)
5-a ship with square and triangular sails is called what
6-which country controlled vietnam during this era?
7-who took Portuguese in exploring africa?

2007-09-12 13:33:26 · 2 answers · asked by lcw 2

I know what happened to the native americans that did sign the treaties...i.e: reservations...and being cheated and forced to give up their land....I cant find any websites of testimonies ( or what not) of people having ancestors that stayed on the land...the only things i can think of are: 1. native americans being killed by the settlers if they didnt sign the treates...and 2. the benefits of the treaties of they signed them ( ex: school, money etc....) can you guys help me out and think of more things that happened to native americans that did sign the treaties? thanks!!!

2007-09-12 12:49:25 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

Some claims that Taiwan was part of Chinese territory for only 10 years before Japan's 50-year occupation started at the end of 19th century. So I wonder who was ruling Taiwan before that and for how long? This question is seeking historical fact and is not intented to bring up the subject of the Taiwan Independence movement.

2007-09-12 12:48:44 · 3 answers · asked by Phil 3

2007-09-12 12:48:23 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

we were talking about the 1600 and 1700's in histroy class and someone brought this up Did white european settlers go anywhere and not kill the natives, they killed natives in america, australia, africa what about the other places

2007-09-12 12:35:40 · 7 answers · asked by youngandfly 1

2007-09-12 11:41:57 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

Which of the social changes brought about the Revolution was most significant? Could the Revolution have gone further toward the principle that "all men are created equal" by ending slavery or granting women's rights?

Should the "Founding Fathers" general elitism and indifference to the rights of people, women, African-Americans, and Indians be held against them? Or should they be viewed with more understanding in their historical context?

2007-09-12 11:24:59 · 4 answers · asked by RAWR. 5

What was the Revolution really all about? The amount of taxation? The right of parliament to tax? The political corruption of Britain and the virtue of America? The right of a king to govern America? The colonies' growing sense of national identity apart from Britain? Was the Revolution truly a radical overturning of government and society-the usual definition of a "revolution"?



Were all American grievances justified, or were the British actually being more reasonable than most Americans have traditionally believed?

2007-09-12 10:59:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-09-12 10:50:16 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-09-12 09:38:01 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

Im reading the book shades of gray for homework tonight.and i know its wrong to use the internet for some homework but i forgot something?

after the civil war which state was deprived the most,ohio or virginia?

2007-09-12 09:34:00 · 5 answers · asked by Tsunade 1

seeing as it was 6 years ago yesterday?

2007-09-12 09:24:02 · 19 answers · asked by purpleandroid 3

2007-09-12 09:06:33 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

Can someone please help me with this essay,I'm writing for my American History Honors class.Well we're suppose to write tow different essays from the following questions.
I'm not asking for anyone to do the essays for me,I love writing essays.But,I would like for ideas or introductions if you may.
so here it goes:

1)Describe the relationship between the Crusades,the Renaissance,the rise of nation states ruled by absolute monarchs,and the exploration and subsequent colonization of the New World.


(Now,in this second essay I'm halfway done i need more suggestions/ideas for the first one but if anyone will be helpful to give me ideas on this second one,that be nice as well.)

2)Describe what is meant by the "Columbian Exchange".What were the results of the meeting of the two worlds?

2007-09-12 08:51:57 · 3 answers · asked by Jessie 1

any facts about these...

them in Medieval times not now...


1. Mali
2. Kongo
3. Ghana
4. Zim
5. Swahili

2007-09-12 08:41:33 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

Sources too please if possible.

1. What they ate?

2. Where do they live now?

2007-09-12 08:05:11 · 5 answers · asked by Lydster 4

2007-09-12 07:45:59 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

in history i am studing about women and the vote but i don't get this y only some people had the vote and is it only women who had the vote in 1815?

2007-09-12 07:37:29 · 8 answers · asked by :) 1

I always think of encyclopedias, life insurance and vacuum cleaners, but what else was sold door to door? Is there any documentation or desciption of what the life of a door-to-door salesman was like in the 1920's?
Thanks a bunch!

2007-09-12 07:31:22 · 7 answers · asked by Elizabeth M 2

Okay so i have to write about ten historical events since 1995 for my home work. i need the name and year of the event, but anythink extra will help! =D

thanks,
sazzi
(i'm this users daughter by the way!)

2007-09-12 07:18:26 · 7 answers · asked by Suzanne 1

plz tell me its really important

2007-09-12 07:18:25 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous