1. Medieval Europe – The Middle Ages
Brainstorm three questions you would like to explore based on this picture. Write them down on notebook paper/in your device.

2. Important Vocabulary for this Unit
Feudalism – a political and military system used in the Middle Ages
Fief - a large area of land that a lord gave to a less wealthy noble, who was known as a vassal.
Lords - could be any nobleman, member of a high- ranking class, or church official who owned a fief and allowed a person to use part of it in return for services.
Vassal - Individuals who agreed to use a portion of a lord’s land. Ownership of the land remained with the lord, but he allowed the vassal to tax the peasants on the land and keep the proceeds. Also, the vassals received a portion of the crops that these peasants produced. In return, the vassal promised to be loyal to and fight for his lord.

3. Peasants
Peasants were also known as serfs. Serfs were peasants who were attached to the land and unable to travel freely.

4. Economy Begins to Expand
During the High Middle Ages (1000 CE – 1300 CE), the economy of Europe gets stronger
Farms begin to produce more crops
Population increases
Merchants begin to trade extra goods with one another
Some merchants begin to travel far distances to trade goods

5. Economy Continues to Expand
Trade routes are developed along major rivers
Towns begin to grow and roads connect towns
Peasants and serfs are able to start saving money and leave their manor
Many peasants and serfs become craftspeople and merchants
Some start their own farms near towns where food is needed

6. Feudalism Weakens
Because many serfs and peasants are beginning to leave their manors, the feudalism system becomes weaker
Kings became more powerful. People agreed to pay taxes in return for protection and government
Kings are able to afford the powerful armies and the best weapons
Lords and knights begin to lose their power

7. Nation-States Emerge
During the Late Middle Ages ( ), several kingdoms continued to increase in size and power and eventually formed nation-states
Nation-State: An independent country united under one government and linked by a common culture and language
4 major kingdoms developed into nation-states:
England
France
Spain
Russia

8. England
During the Early Middle Ages, England was dominated by two tribes:
the Angles (northern, central and eastern England)
the Saxons (southern England)
In the 800s, King Alfred united the two groups to from one country
In 1066, there was a conflict for the next King of England when King Edward died
A French nobleman named William the Conqueror defeated Harold of Wessex in the Battle of Hastings

9. England (continued)
William the Conqueror became King of England and set up a strong central government
At first, there were conflicts between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans (a group from France). Eventually, they worked out their differences
The modern English language is a combination of Anglo-Saxon and Norman languages
Henry II established the English system of common law- laws that applied equally to everyone in England

10. The Magna Carta Magna Carta- Brainpop
The Magna Carta came about when King John angered many nobles with a set of laws they believed were unfair
In 1215, the nobles, barons, and church officials rebelled against King John and forced him to sign an agreement. This agreement listed the rights of nobles and limited the power of kings
The average person did not gain any rights in the Magna Carta, but it became a model for those that demanded democratic rights in the future

11. Magna Carta
1. Why would King John agree to sign the Magna Carta if it limited his power? 2. What are the differences and similarities of the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights? 3. What is a parliament?

12. France
A group called the Franks formed the Holy Roman Empire in the 800s
Next, the Capetian Dynasty began and rulers of this dynasty continued to expand the French kingdom

13. France (continued)
In 1226, Louis IX became King of France at the age of 12 (with help from his mom). Louis was a strong leader:
He defined the duties or royal officials
He created punishments for counterfeiting money
He outlawed duels
In 1328, the last Capetian ruler died and France entered a period known as the Hundred Years War

14. The Hundred Years War Lasted from 1337-1453
A series of short wars between England and France over control of land
The English won major battles because they had better weapons, mainly the longbow
Joan of Arc was a peasant girl from who said she had visions from God to drive the English out of France
Led by Joan of Arc, the French rallied and pushed the English back. However, she was captured and killed
After her death, the French started using cannons and were able to drive the English all the way out of France

15. Spain
During the 700s, Muslims conquered much of the land in Spain and ruled the area for a few hundred years
By the late 1200s, the Christians pushed the Muslims out of Spain, except for small parts
The kingdoms of Prince Ferdinand and Princess Isabella joined forming one large Spanish kingdom
They were able to defeat the remaining Muslims

16. The Inquisition
Although Muslims no longer had control of Spain, some Muslims still lived there
This led to the Inquisition
During the Inquisition, Christians tortured and killed many people of other religions (Islam and Judaism) because they viewed these religions as a threat

17. Russia During the 900s, Russia was known as Kievan Rus
Weakened by civil war, Kiev and its surrounding states were captured by the Mongols, led by Genghis Kahn in the early 1200s
They were forced to be part of the Mongolian Empire

18. Russia (continued)
By 1380, Russia had gained enough power and wealth to fight back against the Mongols
In the early 1400s, the Russians were able to drive the Mongols out of Russia for good
The Mongolian Empire in 1279

19. Russia (continued)
In 1547, a tsar (ruler) named Ivan IX took control of Russia
Ivan feared that nobles would try to overthrow him, so he:
Killed and imprisoned many wealthy citizens
He passed laws making serfs and peasants bound to their land (not allowed to leave). Serfs and peasants were a part of Russia until the 1800s.
He required nobles to supply troops for the Russian army
He later became known as Ivan the Terrible