1. Chapter 7 The Rise of Europe
Section 1: The Early Middle Ages
Geography of Western Europe

2. Western Europe was not dominated by Rome, but by Germanic peoples
Europe is very small for a continent (second smallest of the seven continents)
Despite Europe's size, it was rich in natural resources
Europe had rich soil, rivers for trade and mountain streams to turn water wheels
The Germanic Kingdoms
Germanic people were very different from Romans

3. Germanic people lived in small kingdoms, the strongest of which was the Franks
Clovis, king of the Franks, embraced Christianity and allied himself with the Church in Rome
Around the same time Islam began to emerge
Islam spread, but Christians were able to keep it out of most western Europe
Despite this there was tension between Muslims and Christians
The Age of Charlemagne
Emperor Charlemagne was able to unite Western Europe

4. He was able to unite much of the old Roman Empire
Because of this the pope named him King of the Romans
This angered the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople
As emperor, Charlemagne helped spread Christianity throughout the empire
In addition to religion, Charlemagne stressed the importance of learning
Charlemagne established schools with a set curriculum based on Latin learning

5. After Charlemagne
After his death, Charlemagne's empire was split into three regions
Charlemagne was able to establish a lasting legacy before he died however
After his death his empire was invaded by Muslims, Magyars and Vikings
Vocab pg 214, # 3-6 pg 218
Section 2: Feudalism and the Manor Economy
Feudalism arose out of the need for protection from invaders
Feudalism involves lords, vassals and feudal contracts

6. The Feudal system was very structured and very complex
The World of Nobles
Warfare between nobles was so common that they trained most of their life for war
Most noble boys trained from a young age to be knights
Training for knighthood was very strict and disciplined
When fighting ceased, knights competed in tournaments for entertainment
Due to the constant warfare, powerful noibles fortified their homes

7. These fortified homes became castles, a symbol of Feudal society
Castles were supplied to withstand long attacks
Noblewomen had a very important role in feudal society
Some women even had political rights
Despite this women had very few land rights
Under the Knight code of chivalry, women were put on a pedestal however
Peasants and Manor Life
Manor=Lords estate
Majority of population on a manor were peasants

8. Peasants worked the manor lands in return for protection
They were bound to the manor, but were guaranteed food, housing and land
Manors were mostly self-sufficient
Peasant life was harsh, with men, women and children working long hours
They slept in the same one room hut with the farm animals they raised
The average life span of a peasant was no longer than 35
Vocab pg 219, #3-5 pg 224

9. Section 3: The Medieval Church
The Church’s greatest achievement was Christianizing Western Europe
During this time the Parish Priest was the only link between the people and the Church
Duties of the priests were very similar to the priests of today
Churches served as places of worship and socialization
Villagers took great pride in their churches and decorated them
The church required tithing of it’s parishioners

10. The church viewed women as equal to men, but needing the protection of men
Monks and Nuns
The monk Benedict made rules to regulate monastic life
They took vows and did manual labor
They also looked after the sick and elderly
They also ran schools for children
Educated monks and nuns stressed the importance of learning
Like today, women could not become priests
Some nuns had power in the church, but in the later middle ages they were suppressed

11. The Power of the Church Grows
The Church was not only the highest spiritual authority, but the most powerful secular power
The Pope claimed papal supremacy over secular rulers
Church officials were educated so usually held high government positions
The church developed canon law and it’s own system of courts
Church punishments included excommunication and interdict
The church was instrumental in trying to bring peace between feudal lords

12. Reform Movements
There was much corruption in the medieval church
Reformers attempted to reform the church
The marriage of priests and the selling of Church offices was forbidden
Some priests joined preaching orders to escape church corruption
Jews in Europe
Despite a strong Christian church, Jews flourished in Europe
Christian persecution of Jews increased in the 1100’s

13. Jews were blamed for killing Jesus and they were forbidden to own land and work most jobs
Anti-Semitism was on the rise, and Jews were blamed for most societal problems
Because of this, many Jews migrated to Eastern Europe
Vocab pg 225, #3-5 pg 230
Section 4: Economic Expansion and Change
By 1100 an Agricultural revolution had aided Europe's economic recovery
New technologies such as iron tools and horse drawn plows made farming more productive

14. The windmill also increased the amount of grain produced
Peasants adopted the three field system which produced more fertile land and food variety
This caused the population to grow and be healthier
Trade Revives
A growing population caused a demand for more goods
New trade routes brought goods from the Middle East and Asia
So many goods were coming to Europe that they held annual trade fairs

15. Trade fairs brought so many people that the first medieval cities began to develop
They ranged from 10,000 to 100,000 citizens
Cities were granted a charter which laid out the rights of the people
Two of the most important rights were:
-right of people to choose their own leaders
-right of runaway serfs who were free for a year and a day were granted freedom

16. A Commercial Revolution
Revived trade led to:
-borrowing money to produce more goods
-growth of banking houses
New business practices such as partnerships emerged to minimize risk
A bill of exchange was another important way to reduce risk in business
These business changes began to change medieval society
One of the most important changes was that of peasant to tenant farmer, and the rise of a middle class

17. Many Jews became money lenders during this time because Christians were forbid to charge interest
Role of Guilds
Merchants and artisans formed associations know as guilds
Merchant guilds were the first, and they became very powerful
Artisans formed their own craft guilds
Guilds were similar to unions of today, protecting the economic interest of the worker
Guilds also provided support for widows and orphans of guild members

18. Becoming a guild member was not and easy process:
-apprentice (age of 7-8)
-journeymen (most remained here)
-guild master
Women were permitted to join guilds and even become guild masters
Town and City Life
Cities were crowded rows of houses and streets
They had a cathedral and a guild hall
There was no garbage removal or sewer system
Vocab pg 231, 3-6 pg 236