Invasion Problems in the Middle Ages Background: Invasions by the Angles, Saxons, Magyars, and Vikings disrupted the social, economic, and political order of Europe. They also destroyed the empire set up by Charlemagne.

Areas of Settlement: Angles and Saxons – moved from Continental Europe to England Magyars – moved from Central Asia to Hungary Vikings – moved from Scandinavia to Russia

Angles & Saxons

Magyars

Cultural Characteristics of the Vikings: 1. They worshipped warlike gods 2. Seafaring people – always on the water to find new sources for food

Cultural Characteristics of the Vikings: 3. Leif Ericson – actually landed on North America around 1000 4. Eventually adopted Christianity stopped looting monasteries

Cultural Characteristics of the Magyars: 1. Nomadic people from the East 2. They were excellent horseback riders

Cultural Characteristics of the Magyars: 3. Their goal was to capture people to be sold as slaves, NOT land 4. Attacked isolated villages and monasteries

Influence and Impact of Invasions of Western Europe 1. Immediate Impact – disruption of trade and decline of towns 2. Long-term Impact – fear of invasion let to people seeking protections from local lords in and around their castles/manors, which ultimately strengthened feudalism

Effects of the Mongol invasions: 1. Invaded Russia, Southwest Asia and China 2. Destroyed cities and countryside 3. Created an Empire

Effects of the Ottoman invasions of Europe: 1. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire 2. Constantinople became capital of Ottoman Empire 3. Ottoman Turks were Muslim – represented the spreading of Islam