European
History
by Nathan Barber
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
European History
by Nathan Barber
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
For Christy, Noah, and Emma
ALPHA BOOKS
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Copyright © 2006 by Nathan Barber
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Contents at a Glance
Part 1: Climbing Out of the Middle Ages (c.1300–1600) 1
1 The End of the World as We Know It 3
If you think only modern humans have ever considered the
end of the world then think again. In this chapter you’ll learn how Europe faced some major disasters and felt as though the world was on the verge of destruction. Needless to say, the world didn’t end then.
2 Civilization Reborn 21
In this chapter you’ll see how society was transformed by the rebirth of ideas from ancient Greece and Rome. The progress and achievement in this chapter are among the greatest in European history.
3 Time for a Change in the Church 39
The emphasis on learning in the Renaissance and the inven tion of the printing press encouraged Europeans to think for themselves. Here you’ll learn how the emphasis on learning, reading, and thinking changed religion and in fact the history of the world.
4 Time for an Alternative to the Church 57
Here you’ll discover that there were many alternative reli gious ideas that grew out of cries for reform. Though really different in some ways, these new religious views all shared anti-Catholic perspectives.
5 The Catholic and Counter Reformations 75
In this chapter you’ll see how the Catholic Church reacted to calls for reform and to the mass exodus from Catholicism.
Part 2: Might Makes Right, Right? (c.1450–1750) 89
6 God, Gold, and Glory 91
Everyone knows the rhyme about Christopher Columbus and the ocean blue. Here you’ll find the rest of the story about him and the other explorers who risked their lives on expeditions including why they went and what they hoped to find.
7 Our Religion Is Better Than Your Religion 107
In this chapter you’ll see firsthand how some Europeans
reacted to the rise of new religious ideas. You may be surprised what people did to other people in the name of religion.
iv The Complete Idiot’s Guide to European History
8 The Rise and Fall of the Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was once one of the greatest political powers in all of Europe. So what happened? In
this chapter you’ll learn how a few guys getting tossed from
a window eventually led to the fall of the Holy Roman
Empire.
9 Am I in Charge? Absolutely!
Louis XIV ruled France longer than any other monarch in European history. In this chapter you’ll see what measures he took to keep order and what other rulers like him did to justify their absolute reigns.
123
139
10 The Eastern Absolutists 157
Louis XIV wasn’t the only absolute ruler. Eastern European monarchs tried their hand at absolute rule. In this chapter you’ll find out how they stacked up against the Sun King.
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