why Judith Herrin believes the fall of Constantinople was a turning point for Western history.(1 point)
Responses
It meant that cannons would not work for sieges in the future.
It meant that cannons would not work for sieges in the future.
It led to the voyages of discovery by Columbus because trade was blocked.
It led to the voyages of discovery by Columbus because trade was blocked.
Scholars fled with knowledge that sparked the Renaissance in Europe.
Scholars fled with knowledge that sparked the Renaissance in Europe.
It marked the beginning of the Third Rome in Europe.
It marked the beginning of the Third Rome in Europe.
Judith Herrin believes that the fall of Constantinople was a turning point for Western history because scholars fled with knowledge that sparked the Renaissance in Europe.
Judith Herrin believes that the fall of Constantinople was a turning point for Western history for several reasons. One of the reasons is that it marked a significant change in siege warfare. Cannons, which were used by the Ottoman Empire during the siege of Constantinople, proved to be extremely effective in breaching city walls. This meant that traditional methods of defense, such as fortifications, were no longer sufficient to protect cities. This development forced Western powers to adapt their military strategies and invest in new technologies to defend against cannon attacks in the future.
Another reason is that the fall of Constantinople disrupted the existing trade routes between Europe and Asia. This was a major blow to European powers who relied on these routes for their economic prosperity. As a result, they sought alternative routes to access the valuable goods and resources of Asia. This search for new trade routes eventually led to the voyages of discovery, including Christopher Columbus's famous journey to the Americas. These expeditions opened up new horizons for exploration, colonization, and trade, ultimately shaping the course of world history.
The fall of Constantinople also had an intellectual impact. Many Byzantine scholars and intellectuals fled the city with their knowledge and manuscripts, seeking refuge in Western Europe. This influx of knowledge helped spark the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and intellectual flowering in Europe. The Byzantine scholars brought with them ancient Greek texts and knowledge that had been lost or forgotten in Western Europe. This intellectual revival laid the foundation for advancements in fields such as art, literature, philosophy, and science, shaping the development of Western civilization.
Lastly, the fall of Constantinople had symbolic significance. As the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople was seen by many as the heir to the Roman Empire. Its fall marked the end of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Byzantine civilization. This event led some Western powers, particularly Russia, to claim the title of the "Third Rome," positioning themselves as the successors to Rome and Constantinople. This idea of Rome being passed down to different empires had a lasting impact on the concept of European identity and power dynamics in the region.
In summary, Judith Herrin believes that the fall of Constantinople was a turning point for Western history because it changed military strategies, led to the search for new trade routes, sparked the Renaissance through the influx of Byzantine knowledge, and had symbolic implications for the concept of European identity.