1. Europe in the Middle Ages
AP World History
LSW

2. European Feudalism:
“feud” or “fief”-an estate in land or money granted by a superior on condition of rendering him/her services in the future
several causes/definitions of feudalism:
feudalism as a whole system of life-economic, political, cultural, and social-centered on lordship
feudalism as political and legal, a type of government
weakening of central power within the Carolingian Empire led to an increase in power of local authorities

3. Viking Invasions:
“Northmen” or “Norman”-pagan Germanic peoples from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
assaults began around 787, by mid-tenth century, they conquered large sections of continental Europe and Britain
advanced seamen with methods of boatbuilding
Reasons for invasions: overpopulation forced the Vikings to emigrate , climatic conditions, crop failures, looking for trade and new commercial contacts
Vikings used fear as a strategy
These invasions accelerated the development of feudalism
Vikings left traces of their culture: knowledge of ship-building

4. The Crusades: 11th and 12th centuries
holy wars sponsored by the papacy for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Muslim Arabs or Turks
crusading a distinctive feature of the upper-class lifestyle
army against the enemies of Christianity
Crusades offered travel and excitement for the adventurous, gave kings the opportunity to rid themselves of troublesome knights, opportunity to acquire land in the Middle East
brought prejudice against Jews (debt, blaming Jews for crucifixion)
Women joined in on the Crusades
illustrating they could wield considerable power=degree of power
Crusades had little long-term effect on Europe
Deep bitterness remained between Islam and Christendom

5. Charlemagne: Charles the Great, First Holy Roman Emperor
Crowned Emperor in 800 AD
Head of Carolingian line, united central Europe
Fierce Military leader, valued education.
Sons divided land and Holy Roman Empire after death

6. Medieval Universities:
12th century: cathedral schools in France and municipal schools in Italy developed into Universities
Filled need for educated government workers/bureaucratic officials
Both Secular and Church related
Early universities included Bologna, Oxford, and Paris (Notre Dame)
Education included ancient texts, religion, philosophy, natural science, logic, and other subjects.
Lecture format with few books for students (pre-printing press)

7. Black Death:
Bubonic plague, spread from merchants ships traveling from Southeastern Russian to Italy and into Europe in 1347
Killed 1.4 million in England alone; possibly 1/3 or Europe’s total population
Effected culture, religion, medicine, literature, economics, and art.

8. The Hundred Years War:
Fought between French and British, from
Fought over geographic, religious, economic rivalries
Joan of Arc and military advancements changed the tide of fighting
English pushed off main land France by 1453
Disastrous war for both nations; major loss of population and economy for both sides

9. Protestant Reformation:
Martin Luther became a priest in 1507, earned a Doctorate of Theology in 1512.
Luther was outraged by Church practices of Pluralism and Indulgences.
Luther writes 95 Theses in condemnation of the sale of indulgences and corruption in the church
Luther’s Protestantism provided new answers to the questions of Catholicism
Faith was the basis of salvation, not wealth, and other reforms, became popular messages and propelled the start of Protestant religions