Chapter 8 The Middle Ages
By Frank Bommarito
Medieval Europe
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Medieval Europe occurred
shortly after the fall of the
Roman Empire in 476 AD
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After the fall of the Romans,
Europe basically became “up
for grabs”
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Medieval European countries
and states were constantly
being invaded or attacked by
stronger empires
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The major kingdoms and
empires were the German
states, Vikings, Muslims,
Normans, and later, the Holy
Roman Empire
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Besides the change in the
landscape of Europe, many
other things were changing as
well
Feudalism
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After various invasions on the newly
separated lands that were once the
Roman empire, a system called
feudalism emerges
In feudalistic society kings were
virtually powerless
Instead of kings, Lords, or local
noblemen, ruled over their piece of
land
For this land, vassals had to exchange
service
On this land, lived peasants who
worked the farms everyday
This allowed for the people on the feif
to live off the land
Feudal Warfare
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From the feudal society came a unique type of warfare
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Knights were the warriors
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They lived by a strict code for everyday life called Chivalry
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Chivalry- code of conduct
a) Greatly stressed bravery, honesty and generosity
The Medieval Church
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The only thing that crossed the many boundaries of the Middle Ages
was the Medieval Church
They educated many kings and lords
They owned enormous pieces of land and offered Church
indulgences for the forgiveness of sins
People who committed heresy or questioned the church were
usually excommunicated by the pope
It was believed that the best way to serve God was to dedicate their
whole life to his service
a)Nuns and Monks had complete dedication
Medieval Culture and Technology
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Architecture had major advances,
especially that of Cathedrals.
a)Romanesque (columns,arches
and domes)
b)Gothic (windows and flying
buttresses)
Literature had two revolutionary
writers emerge: Dante and Chaucer
New inventions such as the improved
plow, horse shoe, water mill, and wind
mill made farm life easier
Also with these inventions came a
growth in trade
Middle class emerged due to the new
job oppurtunities
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Science bloomed as well did medicine and education
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The Church,however, still had the main authority on almost all
issues
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Universities began teaching the ideas of Aristotle, Roman Law and
were also run by the clergy
The Crusades
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In 1071 Seljuk Turks conquer
Jerusalem and torture the
Christians
Pope Urban II preaches the
Crusade to recapture the Holy
Land in 1095
reunite the church
control the Holy Land
increase prestige of the Church
response was great
salvation, greed
The crusades lasted until1212
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After the crusades The Church’s power
temporarily increased but the crusades
also tarnished the Church’s image
Many people saw how the church would
kill to stay in power
Europe also began to change more
quickly
Review
1)
In Europe during the Middle Ages, increases in trade and commerce resulted in
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1.
lower living standards for industrial workers
2.
decreased economic rivalry between kings
3.
increased political power for the clergy
4.
development of towns and cities
2)
All things were under its domain...its power was such that no one could hope to escape its scrutiny.”
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Which European institution during the Middle Ages is best described by this statement?
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1.
the Guild
2.
Knighthood
3.
the Church
4.
the nation-state
3)
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4)
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In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was the
1.
central government in Rome
2.
military alliance between France and Germany
3.
federation of the craft guilds
4.
Roman Catholic Church
Which is a characteristic of a feudal society?
1.
rapid social change
2.
high literacy rate
3.
industrial-based economy
4.
rigid class structure
5)
Which economic system existed in Europe during the early Middle Ages?
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1.
free market
2.
socialism
3.
manorialism
4.
command
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Answer Key: 1) Choice 4
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2) Choice 3 3) Choice 4 4) Choice 4 5) Choice 3
In Conclusion
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At the end of the middle ages there were many changes from the previous
Empires
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The Middle ages ended with the black death
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It was a spread of the bubonic plague that eventually would go on to kill 1 of
every 3 people in Europe
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It also caused a complete economic crash
Important Dates
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1066: William Duke of Normandy crossd
into England and declared himself King of
England
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1348: Middle ages end