Effects of Feudalism
Miss Arnold
West Middle School
Binghamton, New York
Arnolds@binghamtonschools.org
Let’s Investigate the effectiveness of
Feudalism…
We can do this by following the steps of the
GHPPA!
Step
Step
Step
Step
1:
2:
3:
4:
Identify the Problem
Gather Evidence
Determine the Causes
Evaluate the Policy
Summary of Steps 1-3 of the GHPPA
After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe
was divided into many small kingdoms ruled
by different kings. This was the beginning of
the Middle Ages and ranged from about 455
A.D. and continued until about 1559. During
the Middle Ages societies were organized in a
system called Feudalism. In this system, the
people had no vote about anything. They had
to obey and pay "overlords".
Summary continued…
► Three
social classes existed during the Middle
Ages. The Nobility, or upper class, controlled
the lands and did all the fighting. The upper
class included kings, counts, dukes and knights.
The clergy were the leaders of the Roman
Catholic Church and included bishops, priests,
nuns, and monks. The serfs, or lower class,
were peasants who lived on the manors and
tilled the soil.
(Retrieved from: http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=13477
Pyramid of Power in Medieval Times
To learn more, watch this video! Just click on the following link: Feudalism Video
King
Nobles/Lords
Knights
Vassals
Peasants/Serfs
What do you think???
► What
do you notice about the numbers of
people at each level on the pyramid? Which
levels had the most people? Which had the
fewest?
► Who
on the Pyramid had the most power
over their own lives and those of others?
Step 4 of the GHPPA:
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Feudalism
► Work
with a partner to evaluate the policy by
completing Worksheet 4
► Discuss your findings and select a format below to
present your evaluation.
 Oral Presentation
► You
and your partner will discuss the Pros and Cons of
Feudalism
 Role Play
► You
and your partner will choose social role(s) from the “power
pyramid” and present your views on Feudalism from that
perspective. Be sure to discuss advantages and disadvantages.
For more information, check out
the Resources below!
► Role
Play assistance
► Social Roles worksheet
to get you thinking
► Organizing an Oral
Presentation
► Feudalism
► More information on
the Feudal System