Unit 3: Medieval Europe

Rome is SPLIT Rome began as a small city-state and over time, became an enormous empire, controlling lands all around the Mediterranean Sea. Despite experience a golden age called the Pax Romana, it eventually deteriorated due to invasions, a lack of trade and a falling economy. In an attempt to govern the vast empire more effectively, the Roman Empire was split into two by Emperor Diocletian.

Western Empire Eastern Empire (Byzantine Empire)   Capital: Rome Collapsed in the A.D. 400’s Eastern Empire (Byzantine Empire) Capital: Constantinople key location for trade because it was at a crossroads of Europe and Asia cultural diffusion! The Byzantines preserved (saved) Greek and Roman culture Justinian’s Code: set of laws for the Byzantine Empire (Emperor Justinian had officials collect all the laws of ancient Rome and then he edited and organized them). Survived for another 1,000 years

Brainpop Fall of Rome (just watch the video; don’t bother with the quiz)

Fall of Rome It was difficult to manage such a large area (at its height, the Roman Empire was 3 million square miles!)

Fall of Rome The Germanic tribes constantly invaded Germanic groups: Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, and Vandals. Germanic people had been living on the northern borders of the Roman Empire for years. Rome became weak from the constant invasions as the Germans moved into Roman territory In 476, Emperor Augustus was dethroned and exiled by a German warrior which completed the fall of Rome.

The Middle Ages is the period of time in Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire and before the Renaissance. (It is in the “middle” of two golden ages) 500 B.C – 476 A.D The Roman Empire The Middle Ages or Medieval Period 400-1400 The Renaissance (Rebirth) Begins around 1400

The Early Middle Ages (aka: The Dark Ages) were characterized by:

Split into many separate Germanic kingdoms

Increase in warfare (dangerous time; people don't feel safe)

Decline in trade

Decline in education

People live in small shacks in rural villages

The Church was a very powerful force in Europe during the Middle Ages. Popes usually held both spiritual & political power The church was at the center of each manor People became devoted to God because their lives were so difficult

Complete “Fall of Rome (Document Analysis)”

Brainpop: Feudalism

FEUDALISM

Feudalism A political & social system in which land is exchanged for loyalty and service No social mobility! Your place in the feudal pyramid was determined by birth.

After the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a scary place! Why Feudalism? After the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a scary place! There wasn’t a strong, central government to raise a large army, so there was no protection from invaders. The Feudal system emerged as a means to create Social/political order and stability in society provide a system of protection

King Land (fief) Nobles Land Knights Peasants & Serfs Loyalty & knights Land Loyalty & military service Land & protection Labor & food

Code of Chivalry To fear God and maintain His Church To serve the liege lord in valor and faith To protect the weak and defenseless To give help to widows and orphans To refrain from the wanton giving of offence To live by honor and for glory To despise pecuniary reward To fight for the welfare of all To obey those placed in authority To guard the honor of fellow knights To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit To keep faith At all times to speak the truth To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun To respect the honor of women Never to refuse a challenge from an equal Never to turn the back upon a foe

The Medieval Economic System Manorialism: The Medieval Economic System Manors: A village and the land surrounding it

The manor was completely self sufficient meaning that everything that was needed was on the manor. Very little reason to leave or travel beyond your manor.

The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System The self sufficient manor contributed to the decline of learning. No new ideas were exchanged. Technology was slow to progress. Little use of money. Wealth based on land.

Complete: “The Feudal System” History Short (just the crossword and quiz) “Sig Fig Selfie” (based on readings of Serfs, Knights, Nobles, Monks) “The Church Power Grows” History Short Sentence/Phrase/Word Middle Ages: Practice Multiple Choice

Spread of Islam & Golden Age of Islam

THE CRUSADES Watch “Mankind: The Story of Us- Warriors” (36:30-46:03) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxn6fkBOBM&index=4&list=PL67H7asWbCwkTcSFd3DWEb8tZl7qBfOvQ Watch Brainpop’s “The Middle Ages”

THE CRUSADES

Big idea: The Crusades were a long series of wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the holy land (Jerusalem)

The Holy Land The Holy Land includes Jerusalem and surrounding areas in present day Israel and Palestine. The Holy Land was important to: Christians because Jesus was born there, lived and taught there, and was crucified there Muslims because Muhammad (the final prophet of Islam) ascended into heaven there

Based on the map, between 1096-1204: Who controlled most of the lands in Europe? Who controlled most of the land in N. Africa and the Middle East? Who controlled the holy land? (circle it on the map)

Background: Christianity became vastly popular during the Middle Ages as people were increasingly concerned with the after-life. The Muslim Arabs conquered Jerusalem around 638 BC For almost 500 years, Christians, Jews, & Muslims peacefully coexisted Because Jerusalem was a holy land, Christians came each year to visit (pilgrimage)  

Causes of the Crusades: In the early 1000’s however, Christian pilgrims increased so much, the Muslims no longer allowed them to visit. Also, many Muslims attacked the Christian pilgrims, and destroyed many of the Christian churches. Additionally, the increase in Muslim power threatened the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople.  

Calling all Christians Pope Urban II called on all Christians to take back the holy land from the Muslims. Feudal lords, knights & peasants agreed to fight because they wanted: To have their sins forgiven*** To win land and wealth To escape troubles at home For adventure

The Crusades: There were approximately eight crusades, but only the first four are well known. For over 200 years, Christians and Muslims were engaged in almost constant warfare. Although the Christians succeeded in capturing the holy land in the First Crusade, they were not able to maintain control.  

*Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes The First Crusade (1096-1099) Peasant army Untrained Lacked military equipment Many killed by Muslim Turks Knights Succeeded in capturing Jerusalem

*Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes Second Crusade (1147-1149) After victory many Christians went back home. The Turks eventually took back much of the territory. King of France and Emperor of Germany sent troops to stop the Turks.

*Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes Second Crusade (1147-1149) Saladin leads the Muslim Turks to victory, defeating the Christians * He was considered a very wise ruler. He was known for his sometimes kind treatment of fallen enemies. Many Christians saw him as a model of knightly chivalry.

*Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes Third Crusade (1189-1192) King Richard of England convinces the Turks to allow Christians to visit the Holy Land

Crusades Continue Through 1200’s *Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes Crusades Continue Through 1200’s Several more crusades attempted with no victories for the Christians Children’s crusade, - 30,000 soldiers - many of them under 12 years old – Never made it to the Holy Land

(IF Turks Traveled they would Trade) Effects of the Crusades: (IF Turks Traveled they would Trade) I = Improvements – Ships, Maps, Explorers F = Feudalism declines because Feudal lords die or spend too much money on military. T = Turks still rule the Holy Land T = Travel – Europeans want to travel and learn more about the world T = Trade – increased between Europe and the Middle East which leads to an increase in CULTURAL DIFFUSION

Read “Effects of the Crusades” by EdHelper Watch “Mankind: The Story of All of Us: Episode 5: The Plague” (after section on Mongols) Watch music video: “Black Death (Holla Back Girl) by historyteachers on YouTube

The Mongols

Important Ideas to Remember about the Mongols: Genghis Khan united the Mongols and created the largest empire in history (across Europe and Asia)

After the Mongols conquered many lands, a time of peace and stability occurred (The Pax Mongolia) As a result, trade increased between Europe and Asia on the Silk Road

Russians were cut off/ isolated from most of Western Europe as a result of the Mongol invasions (notice on the map how Europe and Russia are separated from each other because of the Mongols) Russian leaders adopted the idea of strong, centralized control of the empire

Watch video “History vs. Genghis Khan Watch “America the Story of All of Us: Episode 5” (first 11 minutes)

Commercial Revolution New Business Practices Downfall of Feudalism People no longer stayed on their self-sufficient manors A "middle class" of people emerged with new skills and jobs Resurgegence of Trade One result of the crusades, is that more traded There were local trade fairs in towns Items like cloth, food, leather, dyes, knives, etc. were sold . Capitalism New economic system based on money and trying to make a profit Guilds Associations of craftworkers & merchants that set prices and standards New Business Practices -Banks (people could take out loans and pay them back w/ interest) -Joint Stock Compainies (used to raise money for big projects) -Insurance -Bills of Exchange (like modern checking accounts)