World Studies September 18, 2015 Middle Ages World Studies September 18, 2015

I. Europe after Rome fell People moved out of cities and into smaller groups No more emphasis on government, education or art New languages developed Christianity remained the major religion

II. Feudalism Countries began to emerge under monarchies rather than democracies, but had little power

Monarchs, or kings, would divide up land between lords, or nobles Structure Monarchs, or kings, would divide up land between lords, or nobles Lords would give a piece of their land to a vassal Vassals had a place to live and in return had to pay taxes and give military service Many vassals would re-divide their land and have their own vassals; serfs (peasants) to provide labor and knights to provide military service

Lords fought with one another frequently Trained knights to protect them Built castles Life was isolated, with little trade or interaction No development or invention

III. Monasteries About 530 Benedict set up a code of conduct for nuns and monks Life was simple and hard Work in the monasteries Monks copied and preserved writings from the ancient world Were often the only centers of learning

IV. Economic Recovery Around 1000 Europe began to rebuild Agricultural developments: plow, horse harness, 3 field system, windmills Re-established trade routes and built up towns on them Developed guilds to train skilled artisans

2 Field vs 3 Field 1/2 wheat, 1/2 fallow = 50% production 1/3 wheat, 1/3 peas, 1/3 fallow = 66% production

I. Strong Monarchs Emerge Begin to carve out nations Come into conflict with church leaders over who will have what powers Church could use the threat of excommunication King John in England signs the Magna Carta in 1215 and establishes a parliament Even monarchs have to obey the law Citizens have rights which can’t be taken away

II. Crusades In 1095 the Pope organized knights to go rid Jerusalem of Muslims The first was sort of successful, the rest was messy

Effects of the crusades: Increased trade Strengthened both church and government power Exposed Europeans to ideas from Asia Will lead to exploration Less religious tolerance

III. Bubonic Plague/Black Death Arrived in Europe from Asia in 1347 Killed very quickly and killed many Tremendous social and economic consequences 25,000,000 dead – 35 to 70%

IV. 100 Years War In 1429 Joan of Arc helped France take back the land it had been fighting w/ the British over Solidified national identity New military inventions (longbow and cannon) made knights and castles obsolete Feudalism was dead