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Debate and Diplomacy in Medieval Christianity:

The East-West Schism

Elisabet Samonides-Hamrick
Individual Website
Junior Division
Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic this year was rather difficult. Required to choose a topic centering around
ancient Greece and Rome, I also had to consider this year's theme. I wanted to choose something
original and interesting. Initially considering Hippocrates' theory of medicine, after some basic
research, I discovered that topic was not for me. So I decided on ancient Christianity and met with my
history teacher to narrow my topic. I was interested in researching a topic that had to do with Greek
Orthodox Christianity, so she suggested the East-West Schism. After doing some research on that
subject, I realized it had strong connections to this year's theme, so I selected it as my topic.

Conducting Research

First, I searched the web to find reputable sources on my topic, but after hours of work I only
found a few good sources. Since my dad is a university professor, he was able to order some books on
my topic from the Minnesota State University Moorhead library and grant me access to a database,
where I found several interesting articles on my topic. I took notes on some of my sources and found
some interesting images online for my project; I was all set! One article, “Byzantine Diplomacy and
the Decline in Relations with the West” by Jeffrey Brubaker, was especilly helpful, providing me a
strong connection to this year's theme. Through it I learned the means of Byzantine diplomacy and how
they affected the schism.

Selecting a Presentation Category and Creating My Project

Last year I was a State Finalist in the website category, so having succeeded once, I decided to
make another website. I grouped my notes into several categories and made an outline for my project,
arranging my notes in a logical order. I typed up the many primary sources I had found and placed them
in their appropriate pages on my website. Then, I added background information, pictures, and
historical analysis to complete my project, being very careful not to plagiarize. I wrote more
information and added a header and more pictures when needed. I even found an animated map and a
Gregorian Chant to add detail to my website. Finally, it was time to decide on a color scheme. After
much thought, I settled on a simplistic white layout, symbolizing purity and neutrality, which also made
my website easier to read.

Relationship to Theme

My project has strong connections to this year's theme, Debate and Diplomacy in History:
Successes, Failures, Consequences. I include examples of theological debate throughout, and while
cultural divergence was a large factor, diplomacy ultimately produced the schism. Poor diplomacy
worsened East-West relations in the eleventh century, which grew worse until the sack of
Constantinople. Thereafter, Roman occupation of the city finalized the schism. The schism produced
two separate churches: the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, which still survive today. If it were
not for the schism, Christianity may not have as many branches it does today.

(Word Count 499)

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