1. The Middle Ages

2. The Middle Ages
Period of European history from known as the Middle Ages
Broken down into 3 main periods:
Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages)
Period of decentralization and chaos

3. The Middle Ages High Middle Ages 1000-1300 Late Middle Ages 1300-1500
Europe enjoys a period of cultural revival based on trade
Joined together by Christianity
Late Middle Ages
Overlaps with the period known as the Renaissance, esp. in Italy
Period of social unrest, warfare, plague
Followed by recovery

4. Feudalism
Primary social, political, military, and economic organization of the Middle Ages
Based on the relation of the lord to the vassal
Vassal receives land from the lord, in return the vassal provided military service to the lord
Land run as estates (manors)
Lords dispensed justice and kept order – also warred among themselves
Emerged as a result of new wave of invasions after 750

5. Feudalism

6. Manorialism Manor was an agricultural estate
Majority of people were serfs, bound to the land, who farmed under the control of the nobility
Manor consisted of the lord’s house and a small village, farmland, and forest
Serf worked the land owed the lord obligations, in return the lord protected the serf

7. Manorialism
This was the basic economic/social setup of Europe until the 1500s (in some cases until the early 1900s)

8. Christianity Served to unify Europe following the decline of Rome
Rome was one of two headquarters for the Church, other was Constantinople
Western Europe the Roman Church was dominant
Eastern Europe the Byzantine (Orthodox) Church was dominant
Church did preserve many of the ideas, language, and writings of the Romans

9. Christianity
By 1000 the Church/Pope was the politically dominant force in western Europe
Pope had more political power than many kings
Owned vast amounts of land

10. Major Groups

11. The Franks Most important of all German tribes were the Franks
Overran and settled much of the western Roman Empire-Gaul in particular
Built their own empire that lasted from about
Rivaled Rome in size

12. The Franks
Greatest ruler was Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (r )
Rebuilt schools
Run by Irish monks
Coined money
Empire declined after his death

13. The Franks
The empire after Charlemagne’s death – Louis the Pious was a weak ruler
Grandsons of Charlemagne divided his empire into 3 parts in 843 with the Treaty of Verdun

14. Vikings Began to raid western Europe after 750
Emerged from Scandinavia as the result of overpopulation
After 800 were colonizers of England, Ireland, France, Sicily, and North America
By 1000 were Christian

15. Vikings
Developed naval technology that allowed them to sail across oceans and up rivers – the longboat

16. England One of the most stable states in western Europe
Developed several small kingdoms after the Romans left
Fate was wrapped up with that of France
After 1066 French-speaking Normans took over England (Norman Conquest)

17. England Norman imposed the feudal system on England
By 1170 they had moved beyond feudalism and created a justice system for the entire country
Consisted of common law, jury system, and the idea of checks placed on the power of the king
After 1215 the rights of the nobles were guaranteed by the Magna Carta
After 1296 a council known as Parliament was developed. Later became a legislature.
Was frequently at war with its neighbors

18. France After 950 the ruling dynasty were the Capets
Controlled the area around Paris
By 1200 they had enlarged their domain to include most of France
By 1400 was the largest nation in western Europe

19. The Hundred Years War 1337-1453 England vs. France Causes
Political entanglements of the English and French ruling families
France attempted to regain territory held by the English
Competition over the wool trade
War ended in 1453 with an English defeat

20. Holy Roman Empire Major political unit of central Europe
Neither “Holy,” “Roman,” or an “Empire”
Based on the state founded by Charlemagne in the late 700s

21. The Holy Roman Empire Emperor’s position was elected, not hereditary
Population was ethnically diverse – contained several states
Supported the Catholic Church
After 1438, the Empire was controlled by the Hapsburg family (until 1918)

22. Italy Made up of various states – not unified
Passed from the control of the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Spanish, French, and HRE
Began to develop economically as a result of the Crusades
The Renaissance centered on Italy as a result of its great wealth

23. Spain Conquered by the Muslims (Moors) during the 700s
Divided into several Christian and Muslim kingdoms

24. Spain
For 750 Christians attempted to regain the peninsula – known as the Reconquista – lasted until 1492
Shaped the character of the Spanish state that emerged after 1492 – very rigid and intolerant

25. Byzantium
Byzantine Empire was the remnants of the Eastern Roman Empire
Based in the city of Byzantium (Constantinople)
Fused Roman and Greek heritage
Became the center of a political and commercial empire that lasted until 1453
Was in decline after 1071
Conquered by Venetians in 1201

26. Byzantium

27. The Crusades Series of religious wars from 1096-1291
Goal was to regain control of the Holy Land (Palestine) from the Muslims

28. The First Crusade
Byzantium asked for help in fighting the Turks
Pope Urban II responded by calling for a Crusade to free the Holy Land in 1096
Took Jerusalem in 1099 and set up 4 Crusader states in Muslim territory – lasted 80 years

29. Later Crusades Were military failures
4th Crusade- did not even attack the Holy Land – sacked Constantinople/Byzantium.
Effects
Worsened the relationship between Christians and Muslims
Brought a greater awareness of the world to Europe
Broadened trade between the Middle East and Europe leading to the increased wealth of the Italian states

30. The Late Middle Ages Period of Urbanization and growth
After 1000 the population of Europe increased dramatically
New agricultural techniques like the 3-field/4-field system and an improved horse harness

31. The Late Middle Ages Trade and commerce grew
By 1200 Italy was serving as a middle man in trade between Europe and Asia
The Hanseatic League controlled trade in the Baltic and northern Europe
Banking was developed

32. The Late Middle Ages Urbanization
Cities grew as the result of trade
Many people flocked to the cities for increased opportunity
Were not subject to the feudal system
Created great social stress in Europe
Popular revolts were caused by disrupted agricultural production

33. Medieval Peasant Revolts
Country
Year
Jacquerie
France
1348
Wool Carders (Ciompi)
Florence (Italy)
1378
Peasants’ Revolt
England
1381
Hussite Wars
HRE
German Peasants’ War
1524

34. Medieval Peasant Revolts
All fueled by economic dissatisfaction and religious disagreements
Persecution of “witches” was also another sign of social stress in the period

35. The Black Death Most catastrophic event of the 1300s
Bubonic/pneumonic plague
Destroyed 1/3-1/2 of the population overnight
Hit Sicily in 1347 and then spread throughout Italy
Killed million people
Hit sporadically for the next few centuries

36. The Black Death