1. Europe
In The Middle Ages

2. Holy Roman Empire

3. Roman Empire Decline Empire protected much of Europe
Empire grew too large to be protected
Cost too much money to maintain army

4. Empire Attacked Invaders attacked and took over parts of the empire.
Destroyed towns and cut off trade routes
Kept their own languages, cultures, and laws.
This broke the bonds that kept the empire together.
Most of Europe became illiterate.

5. Charlemagne King of the Franks in 768
Claimed the area called Gaul (France)
He conquered most of Western Europe by force
He united Europe and created schools to promote learning and literacy.
Empire declined after his death and invaders had taken over by the end of the 800’s

6. Rise of Feudalism Vikings attacked Europe from 800 – 1100
No one in Europe was safe
Rich and poor were threatened by the Vikings (same as Japan)
A system had to be created to restore order

7. Feudalism
System where less powerful people pledged their loyalty to more powerful people in return for security
Power belonged to people who owned land
Landowners gave pieces of land (fiefs) to others who promised loyalty and would fight for the landowner

8. Feudalism Lord – person who owned the land
Vassal – person given land in return for loyalty
The Lord promised to treat the Vassal with honor and protect his family
Vassals also helped the Lord to make decisions and paid taxes to him for the land they were given

9. Feudal Pyramid

10. Feudalism
Manor- a large estate that included a village and farmlands inhabited by peasants
Source of wealth for Lords and Kings
A self-sustained community
Ruled by the Lord….made the laws and acted as judge
Manors had laborers (peasants) and skilled workers (blacksmith, etc.)
Safe living environment for poor

11. Manor

12. Peasants Did all labor on manors
Given small pieces of land to farm for themselves
Most peasants were serfs, which meant they belonged to the land
They were part of the manor, no freedom
A serf could buy their freedom or escape and remain free for 1 year (worth it?)