1. The Middle Ages

2. Importance of the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a very long period (500 A.D. to 1300 A.D.) – Many significant historical events take place within this time frame that shape European society and western culture
Collapse of Rome
No central government
Germanic Kingdoms
Little education
Feudalism and Manorialism
Monarchs and Nobles
Domination of the Roman Catholic Church
Barter Economy
Agricultural Revolution
The Crusades
The 100 Year War
Black Death
English law
Magna Carta
Parliament

3. Rome Falls Gradually Roman structure fails
Europe experiences a major decline from 500 to 1000 A.D. (C.E.)
Trade declines (unsafe travel)
Towns empty (no government)
Education declines
Germanic tribes come to dominate Europe
Blended Greco-Roman, Christian, and German traditions
New civilization called = Medieval (Latin for Middle Ages)

4. No Central Government
When Rome “fell” much of Europe was left without any strong central government
Structure in society fell apart
Cities and towns emptied
Lots of violence
Infrastructure diminished
Education and classical learning virtually stopped

5. Germanic Kingdoms
Europe became a place of many different German Kingdoms
The powerful Germanic King, Charlemagne, builds a new Empire and is proclaimed Emperor of the Romans by the pope
Angers the Eastern Byzantines and furthers divides East and West Europe
Preserved Roman traditions
The Germanic peoples would come to adopt Christianity

7. Monarchs and Nobles
Monarchs (Kings and Queens) came to rule over Europe in place of Emperors and Governors
Underneath the Monarch were the Nobility
Held land (fiefs), special titles, and privileges in exchange for their loyalty to the crown
Owed the crown service for their land and rank – usually military

8. Feudalism and Manorialism
New government (F.) and economic (M.) structure that would arise in the place of Roman Authority
Relied upon monarchs deriving their authority from lesser lords that swear loyalty to them
Lords are granted land and peasants to work it
Peasants work the lord’s “manor” and create a self-sufficient community
The manor/lord pays taxes up to higher ranking lords, who in turn pay it up to the monarch

10. Without the Power of the Church Included
With the Power of the Church Included

12. Barter Economy The Roman economy that included coined money fell apart
In a barter system people exchange goods and services in place of paying “cash”
Taxes were often paid in crops and labor
Coins still existed but became secondary to trade as many did not earn cash money, but rather lived on the lord’s land and was protected in exchange for their labor

13. Dominance of the Church
Overtime most of western Europe's peoples became Christians = Christendom (kingdom of…)
The Church became central to people’s lives
In order to get to heaven you need to get sacraments – only the church gave them
Most were uneducated and could not read the Bible
People had to pay a 10% tithe (church fee) to the Church
The Church became wealthy and was not only a spiritual authority but also influenced the non-church world

15. An Agrarian Revolution
By the 800s, peasants used iron plows that were far superior to wood ones
They used horses that were faster than oxen
Peasants adopted crop rotation, increasing field use
These new ways produced more food
With more food the population began to grow
From 1000 to 1300, the population of Europe almost tripled
Overcrowded manors led to the repopulation of cities and towns

16. The Crusades
Series of religious wars (1100s – 1200s) that would change Europe and the Middle East
Pope called for Christians to take back the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslims
Most were a failure, but returning Europeans brought back new ideas and goods
Europeans gained a larger world view and increased contact with the outside world prompted by trade

18. The Hundred Years’ War
between England and France to control lands and trade
World changing new weapons were developed
Long Bow (goes right through armor)
Cannons = no more castles
England lost most claims to lands in France

19. Hundred Years’ War

20. The Black Death
Outbreak of bubonic plague that decimated the population of Europe
Began in Asia and spread throughout Europe around 1350
Killed at least 30%, up to 60%, of people
Transmitted by fleas that lived on rats
Spread rapidly on trade ships
Helped to end serfdom as the demand for labor led to higher wages – rise of a middle class

22. English Law
English Kings grow their power and centralize the government
Doomesday Book = first efficient tax collection and census data – gave the King good data on who had money and lands
Common law = various local customs combined and written into a legal code – applied to all
Jury System = accused criminals have their fates decided by peers

23. Magna Carta One of the most important legal documents
Oppressive taxes by King John III of England led his nobles to revolt against him
Nobles and freemen entered London and forced the king to sign the Magna Carta – or Great Charter
Listed specific limitations of the king’s power and guaranteed others to the Nobility
First time a king was forced to relinquish power
First in a series of British and American documents that developed written constitutions , civil liberties, and a defined legal system

25. Parliament
Follows the Magna Carta’s creation of a Great Council that advised the King on taxation
Parliament developed into a two-house legislature (law making)
House of Lords (Nobles and Bishops)
House of Commons (elected by the people)
Limited the King’s taxation powers
Over the centuries it took more and more authority from the King (people’s government)