Why we lost our ancient history in Europe

Crusades (1096-1291)

A series of religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Key Events:

• First Crusade (1096-1099): Captured Jerusalem; estimated 100,000-200,000 deaths, including many civilians.
• Subsequent Crusades: Various other campaigns led to significant casualties on both sides, including the Fourth Crusade’s sack of Constantinople.

Consequence: Widespread death and destruction, lasting animosity between Christians and Muslims, and significant loss of life, including among European and Middle Eastern populations.

Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229)

A campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in southern France.

Key Events:

• Massacre at Béziers (1209): Approximately 20,000 inhabitants killed.
• Continued Campaigns: Ongoing military actions and sieges led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Cathars and their supporters.

Consequence: Near extermination of the Cathar population and widespread destruction in the Languedoc region.

Inquisition (12th century-19th century)

Institutionalized by the Catholic Church to combat heresy and enforce religious orthodoxy.

Key Events:

• Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834): Thousands executed for heresy, witchcraft, and other charges.
• Other Inquisitions: Similar institutions operated in Portugal, Italy, and other parts of Europe.

Consequence: Tens of thousands of executions and widespread torture, persecution, and fear among the population.

Witch Hunts (15th-18th centuries)

Persecutions fueled by the Church’s belief in witchcraft and the collaboration with secular authorities.

Key Events:

• Peak Period (1580-1630): Major witch hunts in Germany, Switzerland, and France.

Estimates: Between 40,000 and 60,000 people, mostly women, were executed across Europe.

Consequence: Mass hysteria, widespread executions, and long-term social trauma.

Reformation and Counter-Reformation (16th-17th centuries)

Religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants following the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther.

Key Events:

• German Peasants’ War (1524-1525): Over 100,000 peasants killed, many influenced by Reformation ideas.
• French Wars of Religion (1562-1598): Series of conflicts resulting in an estimated 2-4 million deaths.
• Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648): A major conflict in the Holy Roman Empire, with religious and political dimensions, leading to an estimated 8 million deaths.

Consequence: Massive loss of life, political upheaval, and significant shifts in European power dynamics.

Conclusion

• Total Estimated Deaths:
• Crusades: Hundreds of thousands to over a million.
• Albigensian Crusade: Tens of thousands.
• Inquisition: Tens of thousands executed.
• Witch Hunts: 40,000 to 60,000 executed.
• Reformation and Counter-Reformation Conflicts: Millions, particularly in the Thirty Years’ War.
• Overall Impact: The Catholic Church’s role in these events led to significant loss of life, widespread social and political upheaval, and lasting historical consequences for Europe.

Researchers and Philosophers

Giordano Bruno (1548-1600)

• Profession: Philosopher, Mathematician, Astronomer
• Conflict: Bruno’s cosmological theories, which proposed the infinite universe and multiple worlds, contradicted Catholic doctrine.
• Consequence: He was arrested by the Inquisition, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake in 1600.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

• Profession: Astronomer, Physicist, Engineer
• Conflict: Galileo supported the Copernican theory that the Earth orbits the sun, which was deemed heretical.
• Consequence: He was tried by the Inquisition, forced to recant, and spent the last years of his life under house arrest.

Michael Servetus (1511-1553)

• Profession: Physician, Theologian
• Conflict: Servetus rejected the doctrine of the Trinity and criticized both Catholic and Protestant beliefs.
• Consequence: He was arrested by Catholic authorities, escaped, but was later captured and executed by burning at the stake by Calvinists in Geneva with Catholic support.

Jan Hus (1369-1415)

• Profession: Theologian, Philosopher
• Conflict: Hus criticized the corruption of the Church and called for reforms.
• Consequence: He was excommunicated, arrested, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake.

Artists

Paolo Veronese (1528-1588)

• Profession: Painter
• Conflict: Veronese was summoned before the Inquisition for his painting “The Last Supper” (later renamed “Feast in the House of Levi”) due to its inclusion of what were considered irreverent details.
• Consequence: He avoided severe punishment by making minor changes to the painting and changing its title.

Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536)

• Profession: Scholar, Humanist
• Conflict: Although not executed, Erasmus faced significant opposition from the Catholic Church for his calls for reform and criticisms of Church practices.
• Consequence: He faced censorship and opposition but managed to avoid direct persecution.

Writers and Reformers

William Tyndale (1494-1536)

• Profession: Scholar, Translator
• Conflict: Tyndale translated the Bible into English, which was illegal under Catholic Church law.
• Consequence: He was arrested, tried for heresy, and executed by strangulation, after which his body was burned.

John Wycliffe (1328-1384)

• Profession: Theologian, Philosopher
• Conflict: Wycliffe criticized the Church’s wealth and corruption and translated the Bible into English.
• Consequence: Although he died of natural causes, his works were banned, and his remains were exhumed and burned posthumously.

Scientists

Francisco Hernández de Toledo (1514-1587)

• Profession: Physician, Naturalist
• Conflict: Hernández’s work in botany and medicine brought him into conflict with the conservative elements of the Church.
• Consequence: His writings were suppressed, and he faced significant opposition, though he was not executed.

History in schools

Children have been learning history in schools for centuries, though the nature, content, and purpose of history education have evolved significantly over time.

Here is a brief overview of the historical development of history education:

Ancient and Medieval Periods

Ancient Greece and Rome: Education included learning about myths, legends, and significant historical events. Greek education was heavily influenced by the works of Homer, Herodotus, and Thucydides.

Medieval Europe: Education was primarily under the control of the Church, with a strong focus on religious history, biblical events, and the lives of saints. Monasteries and cathedral schools were the main centers of learning.

Early Modern Period

Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries): The revival of classical learning led to increased interest in secular history. Schools began to include works by classical historians and humanist scholars in their curricula.

16th and 17th centuries: Protestant and Catholic Reformations influenced education. Protestant countries emphasized national history and the Bible, while Catholic education continued to focus on religious history.

18th and 19th Centuries

Enlightenment (18th century): Secular history became more prominent, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress. National history gained importance as nation-states developed.

19th century: The rise of public education systems in Europe and North America led to standardized curricula, with history as a core subject. Nationalism influenced the content, often highlighting national achievements and heroes.

20th Century to Present

Early 20th century: History education aimed at fostering national pride and citizenship. Textbooks were often state-sanctioned, reflecting national narratives.

Mid to late 20th century: Post-World War II, there was a shift towards a more critical and inclusive approach, incorporating social history and diverse perspectives. Decolonization influenced the inclusion of global histories.

Publishers and Religious Influence

Publishers: History textbooks have been published by a variety of entities, including private publishers, governments, and educational institutions. Notable publishers in the 19th and 20th centuries included Longman, McGraw-Hill, and HarperCollins, among others.

Religious Influence: The extent of religious influence varied by region and period. In medieval Europe, the Church dominated education, heavily influencing history taught in schools. In Protestant countries, religious narratives were prominent in history education until the late 19th century. Secularization trends in the 20th century reduced religious content, though religious history remained a significant part of the curriculum in many contexts.