Unit 3: Medieval Europe

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. 500 B.C – 476 A.D The Roman Empire The Middle Ages or Medieval Period 400-1400 The Renaissance (Rebirth) Begins around 1400

It was characterized by:

Western Europe was split into many separate Germanic kingdoms Having many Germanic kingdoms

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

Decline in trade

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

The Dark Ages video: (watch 0:00-13:00)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2i3rg5Vc-8 

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 Vassals & 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.

A Quest for the Holy Land THE CRUSADES A Quest for the Holy Land

The Crusades were a series of holy wars in which the Christians fought to regain control of the holy land (sacred area of land in the Middle East that includes Jerusalem) from the Muslims.

Causes of the Crusades: European Christians believed they would be forgiven for their sins if they fought for God. European Christians believed the Holy Land should not be controlled by Muslims. Many poor Europeans wanted to escape from feudalism. Many Europeans hoped to gain wealth from the Middle East.

Effects of the Crusades Cultural diffusion occurred as trade & travel greatly increased between Europe and the Middle East Europeans learned about the many Muslim achievements from their golden age Feudalism declined In the end, the Muslims/Turks kept control of the holy land

The Black Death (1347-1351) The Black Death refers to the major disease (called bubonic plague) that killed 25 million people in Europe (almost 1/3 of the population) during the late Middle Ages. The disease started in East Asia (maybe China) and spread to Europe over trade routes such as the Silk Road. The interaction of different groups of people helped spread the disease.

Major effects (results) of the Black Death: Depopulation- The population of Europe decreased from 85 million to 60 million. Feudalism continued to decline as serfs fled from manors for better opportunities. Trade temporarily decreased.

Music Video Black Death (“Holla Back Girl”) by historyteachers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZy6XilXDZQ (

Next slides are additional information (not notes)

*Please read this slide, but it is not in your notes Background: During the Middle Ages, the power of the Church had greatly increased. People were very concerned with the after-life and became increasingly involved in the church

By this time, Rome had fallen By this time, Rome had fallen. Take notice of where the Byzantine Empire is and where the Arab/Islamic Empire extends

Crusades A long series of wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the holy land (Jerusalem)

Start of the Crusades The Seljuk Turks (Muslims) invaded the Byzantine Empire and took over the Christian holy land, Jerusalem Christians pilgrims were no longer allowed to visit the holy land and were sometimes attacked The increase in Muslim power threatened the Capital of Constantinople

The Call to Arms Pope Urban II called on all Christians to take back the holy land from the Muslims

Feudal lords, knights and peasants fought because they wanted: To win land and wealth To escape troubles at home Adventure To have their sins forgiven

*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

Results 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

Mankind: The Story of All of Us The Plague https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfQ0RiulQTs (Watch 13:00-36:00)