1. The Middle Ages
Chapter 1 7
Teacher Notes

2. If you were there....
Your village is on the banks of a river. The river created a flat plain where you can grow crops. The river also gives you a way to get to the sea and to trade with villages farther inland. You love your village and think it is the perfect place to live. But, your favorite uncle, the one who everyone looks up to, says he is worried. Your village is in a dangerous place. Why do you think he is worried?

3. Geography of Europe
Physical features: Europe is part of Eurasia - the large landmass that includes both Europe & Asia
European topography varies- the shape & elevation of land in a region
Europe is part of the vast European Plain

4. Climate & Vegetation Varies greatly from region to region
Southern part is warm & sunny
Northwestern part is mild, cooler, & wetter
Northern part is often freezing w/ much snow

6. Map of Modern Europe
England, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Scandinavia (Norway/Sweden/Finland)

7. Geography shapes life
In Southern Europe, most live on coastal plains or river valleys (grapes, olives, sheep, goats, trading, seafaring)
In Northern Europe, rivers were a resource & provided protection/transportation

8. Reading checks & Main Ideas
1. How do Europe's landforms and climates vary by region?

9. 2. How did geography influence where people lived in Europe.

10. 3. have so many different ways of life developed in Europe.

11. Europe, after the fall of Rome
Ch 17, Section 2

12. If you were there...
You're returning to your village in Northern Europe after a hard day working in the fields. But as you reach the top of a hill, you smell smoke. Alarmed, you break into a run. Finally your village comes into sight, and your fears are realized. Your village is on fire! In the distance, you can see sails moving away on the river.
What do you think happened to your village?

13. Christianity Spreads to Northern Europe
as the Roman Empire fell, others moved in
they created their own states
rulers (warlords) became kings
creation of these kingdoms marked the beginning of the Middle Ages (medieval)
time btwn ancient & modern times ( )

14. Missionaries most kingdoms were not Christian
Christianity was only common in parts of the former Roman Empire
Christianity slowly spread
missionaries & monks helped spread religion
monks live in communities (monasteries) all over Europe
the pope sent them to convert others

15. Patrick was a monk who helped convert the Irish
we know him as St. Patrick (400s)
Most monasteries followed rules by Benedict
His rules ~ Benedictine Rule (followed by Benedictine Monks)
Monks were influential: (provided aid/healthcare; ran schools, copied texts, served as scribes/advisors; collected/saved ancient writings)

16. The Franks Build an Empire
Political changes occurred as Christianity spread
the Franks conquered Gaul (France)
Charlemagne became a great ruler (700s)
he spent much time at war
he seized France, parts of Germany, Austria, Italy, & Spain as well as parts of the former Roman Empire
Pope Leo III crowned him emperor of the Romans (symbolizing a return of the great Roman Empire)
He also built schools,

17. Invaders Muslims armies attacked S. France/N. Italy
Vikings (Scandinavia) attacked via the rivers
Europe remained a dangerous place despite the creation of kingdoms and spread of Christianity
View link: C-a

18. Reading Checks & Main Ideas Ch17S2
1. How did missionaries & monks help spread Christianity into new areas?
2. What were Charlemagne's major accomplishments?
3. What groups invaded Europe in the s?

19. Reading Checks & Main Ideas Ch17S2
1. How did missionaries & monks help spread Christianity into new areas?
2. What were Charlemagne's major accomplishments?
3. What groups invaded Europe in the s?

20. Feudalism & Manor Life
Ch 17 S 3

21. If you were there...
You are a peasant in the Middle Ages, living on the land of a noble. Although you and your family work very hard for many hours of the day, much of the food you grow goes to the noble and his family. Your house is very small, and it has a dirt floor. Your parents are tired and weak, and you wish you could do something to improve their lives.
Is there any way you could change your life?

22. Feudalism Governs Knights & Nobles
Initially, the Frankish kings could not defend their kingdoms
Nobles had to defend their own land
Noble power grew
Nobles needed soldiers (knights) to defend their lands
Nobles gave knights fiefs (pieces of land) in exchange for military service
a noble who gave land to a knight was called a lord
a knight who promised to support a lord in exchange for land was a vassal
this system of promises was called feudalism

23. ties between lords and vassals were central to feudalism;
each had to be loyal & fair

24. Feudal Society each group had responsibilities
lords helped vassals by sending help when enemies attacked
lords had to be fair otherwise vassals could break all ties
lords build castles (initially made of wood) to defend their lands
if the lords went to battle, the vassals fought with them
vassals also had to give lords their money on special occasions (when a son b/came a knight or a daughter married)
a vassal provided food & shelter to a lord if he visited
vassals could become lords w/ enough land

25. The Manor System
knights needed a way to farm their land while they were away
few peasants owned land
new economic system developed
knights allowed peasants to farm land on their estates
in return, the peasants gave the knights food/payment
manor: the large estate owned by a knight or lord
serfs were tied to the land (although not slaves) and received a small part of the land to farm themselves
skilled workers were also found on a manor who worked in exchange for food

26. Cities Grow
in the Middle Ages, most people lived on manors or small farms
most towns were small, but some grew into cities
food was more available so the population increased
new technology made for better harvests (heavier plow, horse collar)
trade also increased (trade routes created)
trade led to the decline of feudalism
serfs & peasants left for towns, weakening the manor system

27. Reading Checks & Main Ideas
1. What led to the creation of feudalism?
2. How were the lives of nobles and peasants different?
3. Why did towns and trade grow in the Middle Ages?
4. Why did vassals have to serve lords?
5. Who benefited more from feudalism, knights or lords? Why?
6. What led to the growth of Europe's population in the Middle Ages?
7. Why do you think peasants left the farms for big cities?

28. Reading Checks & Main Ideas
1. What led to the creation of feudalism?
2. How were the lives of nobles and peasants different?
3. Why did towns and trade grow in the Middle Ages?
4. Why did vassals have to serve lords?

29. 5. Who benefited more from feudalism, knights or lords? Why?
6. What led to the growth of Europe's population in the Middle Ages?
7. Why do you think peasants left the farms for big cities?