Why did the Middle Ages Turn to Feudalism? What happened before, to set the stage for feudalistic life?

How The Middle Ages Began Rome fell leaving Europe in disunity, conflict, and poverty and in the hands of invaders Rome fell leaving Europe in disunity, conflict, and poverty and in the hands of invaders A new European civilization would have to develop and a blended culture emerged: Greco-Roman, German, and Christian A new European civilization would have to develop and a blended culture emerged: Greco-Roman, German, and Christian Role of Geography? Role of Geography? Why do you think this time frame is called the middle ages? Why do you think this time frame is called the middle ages?

Groups Who Shaped Europe Groups Who Shaped Europe The Franks/French: strongest German kingdom to emerge in W. Europe; allied with the powerful ally of the Christian Church of Rome The Franks/French: strongest German kingdom to emerge in W. Europe; allied with the powerful ally of the Christian Church of Rome Muslim World: Overran Christian lands and took control of Spain Muslim World: Overran Christian lands and took control of Spain –Led to the Battle of Tours in 732-the Christians wanted to push them out

Charlemagne/Charles the Great Built a united empire across France, Germany, and part of Italy Built a united empire across France, Germany, and part of Italy Crowned Emperor of the Romans by the Pope Leo III after helping crush a rebellion of Nobles in Rome. Crowned Emperor of the Romans by the Pope Leo III after helping crush a rebellion of Nobles in Rome. –Very significant b/c a Christian pope crowned a Germanic King as successor to Rome. –By doing this there was revival of the Christian community and laid ground for future power struggles between Rome and Germany –This widened the split between W. and E. Christian worlds.

After Charlemagne When he died his empire soon fell too When he died his empire soon fell too This was followed by 30 years of power struggles This was followed by 30 years of power struggles His grandson soon divided the region into 3 parts His grandson soon divided the region into 3 parts C left a legacy of a strong and united Christian kingdom C left a legacy of a strong and united Christian kingdom Wave of invasions ensued-all seeking to pillage W. Europe: Muslims; Magyars; and Vikings Wave of invasions ensued-all seeking to pillage W. Europe: Muslims; Magyars; and Vikings

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The Church and Medieval Life Christian rituals and faith were part of everyday life Christian rituals and faith were part of everyday life The Church was the social center as well as a place to worship The Church was the social center as well as a place to worship –They took pride in it and tithed (gave 10% of income to the church- Biblical) to keep it beautiful. #1 objective was the Church and the parish or priest was the only contact people had with the church. #1 objective was the Church and the parish or priest was the only contact people had with the church. –He would practice sacraments-sacred rites of the church; major role in Catholic salvation

Monks and Nuns Monks and nuns were those men and women who withdrew from worldly life to devote their life to God within monasteries and convents Monks and nuns were those men and women who withdrew from worldly life to devote their life to God within monasteries and convents Benedict: monk in 530 who organized the Monte Cassino Monastery in S. Italy. He also drew up a set of rules to regulate monastic life: Benedictine Rule: Benedict: monk in 530 who organized the Monte Cassino Monastery in S. Italy. He also drew up a set of rules to regulate monastic life: Benedictine Rule: This “law” included 3 main vows: This “law” included 3 main vows: –Obedience to the abbot/abbess – Poverty –Chastity/Purity

The Power of the Church Grows The church controlled spiritual life and soon dominated secular life The church controlled spiritual life and soon dominated secular life Concept of Papal Supremacy developed (primarily the Catholic faith): Pope considered representative of Christ and therefore has authority over all secular rulers. Concept of Papal Supremacy developed (primarily the Catholic faith): Pope considered representative of Christ and therefore has authority over all secular rulers. Moreover, this soon led to papal states-lands belonging to the pope. Moreover, this soon led to papal states-lands belonging to the pope. Church and state were one. Church and state were one.

Religious Authority Canon Law: Laws and courts belonging to the medieval church; disobedience led to a range of penalties. Canon Law: Laws and courts belonging to the medieval church; disobedience led to a range of penalties. The most severe penalty was excommunication: not receiving sacraments or a “Christian” burial The most severe penalty was excommunication: not receiving sacraments or a “Christian” burial When nobles opposed the church they received an interdict: an order excluding an entire town, region, or kingdom When nobles opposed the church they received an interdict: an order excluding an entire town, region, or kingdom

Reforms As the Church’s wealth and power grew-its discipline weakened As the Church’s wealth and power grew-its discipline weakened Throughout the middle ages there became an evident need for reform Throughout the middle ages there became an evident need for reform Francis of Assisi set up friars-monks who did not live in monasteries but traveled…Why did this help? Francis of Assisi set up friars-monks who did not live in monasteries but traveled…Why did this help? Cluniac Reforms: initiated by Abbot Berno of Cluny Cluniac Reforms: initiated by Abbot Berno of Cluny –Revived Benedictine rule –Nobles could no longer interfere with monastic affairs –Brought devoted men into the ministry –1073: Pope Gregory VII applied the reforms to the entire church as a whole. He then outlawed marriage for priests and simony (the selling of church offices)

Jews in Europe Jewish communities existed across Europe- especially in Spain due to its Islamic dominance. Jewish communities existed across Europe- especially in Spain due to its Islamic dominance. Many Jews migrated to Germany Many Jews migrated to Germany Persecution of Jews developed b/c many felt they were directly linked with the death of Jesus Persecution of Jews developed b/c many felt they were directly linked with the death of Jesus Soon anti-Semitism, prejudice against Jews, developed Soon anti-Semitism, prejudice against Jews, developed