Feudalism in Western Europe Unit 1 Activity 12 Presentation

Setting the Stage The Collapse of the Roman Empire  CHAOS (barbarian invasions!) Western Europe split into independent kingdoms Feudalism provided some sense of political, economic, and social order Catholic Church also grew in power and influence

Timeline We’ll look at events roughly around here for THIS lesson! 500 B.C.E. 0 C.E 300 C.E. 800 C.E. 1400 C.E. Roman Republic 509 B.C.E. to 27 B.C.E ~500 years Roman Empire 27 B.C.E. to 284 C.E. ~300 years Roman Empire (West) 284 C.E. to 476 C.E. ~100 years Various Kingdoms 476 C.E. to 800 C.E. Holy Roman Empire + Various Kingdoms 800 C.E. to 1806 C.E. ~1000 years Roman Empire (East) later known as the Byzantine Empire 284 C.E. to 1453 C.E. Emperor Constantine moved capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium in 330 C.E. = the fall of the Roman Empire = the beginning of the MIDDLE AGES

Why was Europe split into various kingdoms after the Fall of Rome? Map Why was Europe split into various kingdoms after the Fall of Rome? Medieval Europe, around 950-1300 ANSWER: GEOGRAPHY! Rivers Provided protection Separated groups of people Difficult for one group to control ALL of Europe Encouraged growth of independent territories and kingdoms Seas Mountain Ranges VVVVV VVVVV VVVVV GEOGRAPHY: the study of the physical features of the Earth’s surface (mountains, deserts, rivers, oceans) and ways that people are affected by the natural world

WHAT is feudalism? A political/economic/social relationship based on MUTUAL DEPENDENCY you rely on something/someone you give and also get something in return money and knights land (fief) protection and military service land (fief) food, services, and rent land and protection

A political/economic/social relationship based on MUTUAL DEPENDENCY WHAT is feudalism? A political/economic/social relationship based on MUTUAL DEPENDENCY you rely on something you give and also get something in return Example Give me land to farm and your knights to protect me from invaders. Give us the food that you grow for us to eat. And rent money from living and farming on our land! a PEASANT NOBLES (lords and ladies)

Lack of strong governments Land owning nobles  MORE powerful because: WHY feudalism? Lack of strong governments Kings lost their power Land owning nobles  MORE powerful because: Raised armies Collected taxes Imposed laws People needed ORDER and PROTECTION!