1. Agenda October 21 or 22 Journal Background to the Middle Ages How Feudalism Began Journal: In your opinion how important is the military and religion to the U.S. population? Explain.

2. Learning Log Write down the definition of the word Medieval (it means Middle Ages) A feudal society is one that practices Feudalism. What do you think Feudalism is? (write down whatever you think – or make something up – well see if you are right later)

3. Background – The Roman Empire From 180 BCE to about 500 CE Western Europe was governed by the Roman Empire. At the peak of Romes power its rule was know as Pax Romana (the Roman peace. Question: What benefits do you think Roman rule gave the average person living in Western Europe? Look over A Vast and Powerful Empire, p. 162- 163 to help you answer the question.

4. Background – The Fall of Rome Read about the decline of the Roman Empire and the invasion of Western Europe by Germanic Tribes – P. 353 -354 (stopping at Clovis Rules the Franks) Answer the following questions in your notes: What were the effects of the Germanic invasions? Socially/Culturally Economically Politically If you were an average person living in Western Europe at the time, how do you think you would have been affected personally?

5. Background - Charlemagne Read about Charlemagnes empire in Western Europe, pp. 356-357. Answer the following questions in your notebook: How did Charlemagne unite the people of Western Europe? How did he hold together his empire? What do you think might have been the advantages of Charlemagnes empire to you, the average person living in Western Europe at the time?

6. Background – More Invasions Read about invaders attacking Western Europe from 800-1000 CE. Journal Write: Imagine that you are an average person living at the time of the invasions. Write about 100 words describing the anxieties, fears and problems you face in your daily life. (You might imagine fierce Vikings or plundering Muslims to get in the right mood) When done, share what youve written with a neighbor

7. The Solution: Feudal Societies Read about Feudalism, p. 360, 362, 363, and The Warriors Role in Feudal Society on p. 364-365. Either with a partner or individually, do the following in your notebook: Describe feudal society and government and explain how it worked. Describe the benefits and burdens that each group received from the feudal system. Answer question: Do you think feudal societies favored individual rights and freedoms or community security? Explain your answer.

8. The Role of the Church in Feudal Societies Read p. 370-371 stopping at The Church and the Holy Roman Empire Either with a partner or individually, do the following in your notebook: 1.Describe the role of the church in feudal societies. 2.What were the benefits of that role and who received the benefits? 3.What were the costs or burdens of that role and who bore them? 4.How did the role of the church contribute to the community orientation of feudal societies?

9. Discussion Why was the military and church so important to medieval society, why is it not as important to the same degree to the U.S. So in other words, what does the U.S. have that medieval society did not? What did medieval society have that the U.S. did not?