Directions: Read the SC SS standards below. You will answer each question that follows and write a
thorough explanation of both standards in essay form. (Hint: ALL of the questions
should be answered in your essay in order to fully explain each standard.)
Standard 6-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the Middle Ages and the emergence of
nation-states in Europe.
Enduring Understanding
Political systems are made up of people, practices, and institutions that use power to make and enforce
decisions. Feudalism during the Middle Ages in Europe was a political and economic system in which control
of land was the main source of power. To understand feudalism and its relationship to the development of the
European nations-states, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indicators:
Indicators
 6-5.1 Explain Feudalism and its relationship to the development of European monarchies and nationstates, including the feudal relationships, the daily lives of peasants and serfs, and the economy under
the feudal system.
 6-5.2 Explain the effects of the Magna Carta on European society, its effect on the feudal system, and its
contribution to the development of representative government in England.
 6-5.3 Summarize the course of the Crusades and explain their effects on feudalism and their role in
spreading Christianity.
 6-5.4 Explain the role of the Roman Catholic Church in medieval Europe.
 6-5.5 Summarize the origins and impact of the bubonic plague (Black Death) on feudalism
Feudal System
1. What was the feudal system?
2. How did the feudal system help with the chaos in Europe after the death of Charlemagne?
3. What kind of reciprocal obligations and allegiances emerged during the feudal system?
4. Explain the relationship between kings, lords, vassals, and peasants (serfs).
5. Why was land so important during the feudal system?
6. Why was there a need for the feudal system?
7. Where did the feudal system first develop?
8. What is a manor?
9. What was life like on a manor for a peasant/serf?
Magna Carta
1. How did feudalism in England, by William the Conqueror, weaken the power of nobles and
strengthen the power of the monarchy?
2. Why did the nobles force King John to sign the Magna Carta?
3. What was the Magna Carta?
4. What were some of the rights and principles addressed by the Magna Carta?
5. How did the Magna Carta address individual rights?
6. How did the Magna Carta limit the powers of the King?
Crusades
1. What was the original purpose of the Crusades?
2. Explain the key routes taken during the Crusades?
3. Why were the Muslims intent on keeping the Holy Land? Why were the Turks intent on taking it
back?
4. What regions and time frames were the series of Crusades fought?
5. How did the Crusade help spread differing ideas and cultures?
6. What were the end results of the Crusades? Was it successful?
7. How did the Crusades help weaken the power of the Pope and the Church? How did the Crusades
help lay the groundwork for later exploration which resulted in the discovery of the Western
Hemisphere?
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5.
Roman Catholic Church
What was the cultural role of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe during the Middle Ages?
How did the fall of Rome contribute to the growth of the Catholic Church?
What were monasteries? Why would people choose to live in monasteries?
How did monasteries develop as centers of learning and sustainers of culture?
What was the primary goal of the monasteries?
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2.
3.
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8.
Black Death
What was the general direction from which the plague originated and spread?
What was the most likely mode of transportation in spreading the plague?
What economic, political, and social activities contributed to the rapid infection of most of Europe?
What was the time frame of the epidemic? How fast did it spread?
How did the lack of scientific and medical knowledge hasten the spread?
What was the devastating impact on all socioeconomic levels?
How did the plague help end the feudal system?
About what fraction or percentage of the world’s population was lost to the plague?
Parent Log: Please review each group of questions with your student. Once you feel that they can fully
explain each topic, initial and date below. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please make note
below.
Topic
Feudal
Magna
System
Carta
Crusades
Roman
Catholic
Church
Parent
Initials
Date
Questions/
Comments
(Use the
back side of
you need
more room
to write
Black Death