Societies of Europe Chapter 1 section 4

European Middle Ages 400s – 1300s Invaders destabilize area Trade stops = use of money stops

Feudalism King – allows nobles or lords to use land. Nobles – protect people living on land. Knights – protect king and lords. Serfs - work the land.

Manor System Land divided into large estates. Serfs farm the land. Serfs are poor and not allowed to leave the manor. Church gains power.

The Rise of Trade and Towns Feudalism led to long periods of peace. Safety = rise in trade New farming methods Increased food = increased population Use of money returns Serfs escape to towns Merchants & craftspeople form middle class.

Crusades A series of war to capture the Holy Land Not successful Ships returning from war bring Asian goods.

Cause – Decline of Feudalism - Effects Rise of trade/town Bubonic plague Lords lose power Peasants paid wages Trade flourishes Kings gain power

Renaissance A time of increased interest in art and learning. What led to the renaissance? Suffering led people to look for meaning of life

Renaissance Period Art more realistic Humanism History, philosophy, and literature Muslims invent Algebra

Printing Press Johannes Gutenberg 1455 Effect on Society Books cheaper and more accurate more people read

Reformation Church weakens Martin Luther publicly posts 95 statements that criticizes corrupt practices in the church. Church splits = Catholic / Protestant

Changes in Trade Italian merchants determine profit Italians trading in Asian goods = huge profits Italians control the market. Others look for different routes to Asia