1. Inquiry Question
Does the period from 500 – 1500 in Western Europe deserve to be remembered as the “Dark Ages”?

2. Supporting Questions
Supporting Question 1: What role did the church play after the collapse of the Roman Empire?
Supporting Question 2: How effectively did feudalism and manorialism provide governance in Western Europe?
Supporting Question 3:
What impact did the Bubonic Plague have on Western Europe during the Middle Ages?

3. The End of Another Empire
Charlemagne dies, AD 814
Conflict emerges between grandsons
Treaty of Verdun, AD 843
Empire split in three
Carolingian rule weakened
Frequent invasions, AD 850 to 950
Vikings from North
Muslims from South
Magyars from East
Western Europe w/o protection
Treaty of Verdun Territories
Invasions, 850 to 950

4. Feudalism: A Political Structure

5. Rise of Feudalism Invasions Weakness of central authority
Too many invasions
Not enough protection
Weakness of central authority
Emperor and army cannot be everywhere at once
Rollo and Charles precedent
AD 911
Frankish King, Charles the Simple gives Normandy to Viking Rollo
Rollo pledges allegiance
Charles and Rollo

6. Manorialism: The Economic Side of Feudalism

7. Supporting Questions
Supporting Question 1: What role did the church play after the collapse of the Roman Empire?
Supporting Question 2: How effectively did feudalism and manorialism provide governance in Western Europe?
Supporting Question 3:
What impact did the Bubonic Plague have on Western Europe during the Middle Ages?

8. Feudalism: Pros and Cons
Self-sufficient
Provided chain of command
Protection for weak
Mutual benefits relationship
Provided order
Cons:
Encouraged warfare
Encouraged social class structure
The Feudal Pyramid

9. Manorialism: Pros and Cons
Self-sufficient
Mutual-benefits for all
Cons:
Enforced social class structure
Exploited the masses
Poor agriculture techniques
Isolation/limited trade
The Manor System