1. Unit 2: Regional Civilizations 730 BC – 1650 AD
(Part 1: Chapters 7 – 9)
The Middle Ages in Europe and the Rise of Russia

2. Chapter 7: The Rise of Europe 500 – 1300 AD
As Roman civilization declined, Europe became an isolated land of disunity, conflict, and poverty. Charlemagne, allied with the Roman Catholic Church, created a new empire with a blend of German, Roman, and Christian traditions. After his death, however, internal divisions and invasions once again disrupted European life.
EQ: What were the key characteristics of life in Medieval Europe?

3. S. 1: The Early Middle Ages
The united force of the Roman Empire is replaced by many Germanic Kingdoms
Ex: Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks
Period between ancient times and modern times, about 500 to 1500 AD, is called the Middle Ages
Medieval means ‘Middle Age’ in Latin
Why is this period known as the Middle Ages?

4. The Age of Charlemagne Charlemagne = ‘Charles the Great’
In 768, He briefly united Western Europe when he built an empire reaching across modern-day France, Germany, and part of Italy
His Legacy
Extended Christian civilization into northern Europe
Furthered the blending of Germanic,
Roman, and Christian traditions
An example of how to
set up strong, efficient
government

5. S. 2: Feudalism and the Manor Economy
Feudalism: A Political System
In the face of invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars, people needed protection. (Feudalism helped provide that.)
Feudalism
A decentralized system of rule in
which powerful local lords divided
their land among lesser lords.
Lesser lords, vassals, pledged
service and loyalty to the greater
lord in return.

6. The Manor: An Economic System
The manor (the powerful lords estate / land and property) = the heart of the medieval economy
The Majority of the population = peasants
Peasants lived and worked on the manor (in return that received protection)
Most peasants were serfs = bound to the land
Discussion Q: Why do you think the majority of the population were peasants?

7. Visual of Feudalism

8. S.3: The Medieval Church
*The Church and its teachings were central to medieval life.
While it took centuries for Christian missionaries to spread their faith across Europe, in time the Roman Church rose to great political and economic power.
The Village Church
Place of worship and social center
Excommunication
A powerful tool of the Roman Catholic Church.
If you failed to obey church law, you could be excluded from the church.
Why would people be afraid of being excommunicated?

9. Church Power Grows
The Church controlled not only spiritual life but gradually became the most powerful secular force in medieval Europe
Ex: The pope, living in Rome, is viewed as the leader of the Roman Church.
Medieval popes claimed papal supremacy, which means authority over all kings and emperors
Discussion Q: How is the church much different in the Middle Ages than it was in its early years?
How do you think the issue of papal supremacy could become a source of conflict in Medieval Europe?

10. S.4: Economic Recovery Sparks Change
Changes in Europe set the stage for economic prosperity.
It began in the countryside, where peasants used new farming technology to increase production. Resulted in an agricultural revolution that transformed Europe.

11. Chain of Economic Growth
Technology improves farming -> Production and Population Grow -> Trade and Travel Increased -> Growth of Towns and Cities -> Beginnings of Modern Business –> The Rise of the Middle Class

12. Quick Review
Why is the period of time from about 500 – 1500 referred to as the ‘medieval times’?
What is the significance of Charlemagne?
How does feudalism work?
What role did the church play during the middle ages?
How did economic growth take place?