Western Europe in the Middle Ages Fall of Rome until 1450 1450 Pages 650 to 656.
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Transcript of Western Europe in the Middle Ages Fall of Rome until 1450 1450 Pages 650 to 656.
Western Europe in Western Europe in the Middle Agesthe Middle Ages
Fall of Rome untilFall of Rome until
14501450
Pages 650 to 656Pages 650 to 656
Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages
Charlemagne, a skillful general, united much of the Western Roman Empire in about 800.
Set up efficient government
Spread Christianity Encouraged revival
of learning and the arts
FeudalismFeudalism
Many invaders entered WE after the death of Charlemagne
In response, a military elite emerged
Feudalism- a system of rule by local lords who were bound to a king by ties of loyalty developed.
Feudalism continuedFeudalism continued
Each person has a fixed place in society
King
Lords
Vassals
Knights
Peasants and Townspeople
Feudalism continuedFeudalism continued
The king is the head of society and grants fiefs, or estates, to powerful lords.
The lords owed the king total loyalty and obedience in return.
Feudalism continuedFeudalism continued
The lords divided their fiefs among vassals, or lesser lords.
Vassals further divided their fiefs among knights, or mounted warriors.
Everyone from lords to knights were nobility.
Feudalism continuedFeudalism continued
Bottom of society- lived on the land of a lord, owed service to the lord in exchange for protection
Most peasants were serfs, meaning they were tied to the land and not allowed to leave the estate.
Status of WomenStatus of Women
Subordinate to men- father, husband, or brother has complete authority over her
Marriages arranged to benefit families
House work, raise children
Jewish CommunitiesJewish Communities
Jews were persecuted and discriminated against
Forbidden to own land
Limited to certain professions
Blamed for diseases Still maintained
stable communities
The Manor EconomyThe Manor Economy
Manor- included a village and the surrounding lands administered by a lord.
Each manor was self-sufficient
Peasants spend 4 days farming for their lord and 2 farming their own farm
Peasants owed some of their harvest to lord.
Remember…Role of Remember…Role of the Churchthe Church Played major role Turned to Christianity for guidance Church officials advised kings and
nobles A document written in 1075 outlined
the powers of the pope- including the power to dispose of an emperor
continuedcontinued
Many people joined monasteries and convents- spread Christianity, cared for the sick
Provided education- Set up schools and universities
Supported the arts- Gothic cathedrals
Expanding HorizonsExpanding Horizons
By the late 1100s feudalism had declined and trade and travel increased
As merchants gained wealth they negotiated charters, or written documents that guaranteed certain rights to townspeople.
Slowly, a middle class emerged
The CrusadesThe Crusades 1095- Pope Urban II
called for a crusade to take the Holy Land from the Muslims
For 200 years Christians fought Muslims in the Middle East
Some crusaders thought they were doing God’s will, some wanted to get goods, others wanted to escape debt and taxes
Contact with AsiaContact with Asia
Europeans brought knowledge, goods, technologies, and resources back from the Middle east
In 1348 ships returning from Asia brought back the bubonic plague- The Black Death
Killed 25 million Europeans in 5 years
The Bubonic PlagueThe Bubonic Plague
Flea-infested rats got onto European ships and spread the disease.
Symptoms Blisters, red or black High fever Chills Headache Swollen glands ulcers Extreme exhaustion Delirium
Constant grave digging Christians blamed Jews Some thought it was a
punishment from God “The End of the World”