1. Global Studies Regents Review
Day 8: Medieval Europe, The Crusades, the commercial revolution,
The plague

2. Medieval Europe = middle ages =
dark ages

3. Feudalism Everyone in medieval Europe had a well defined place
A DECENTRALIZED political system where powerful lords (nobles) owned large sections of land
Divided land into FIEFS which were given to lesser lords called VASSALS
Vassals pledged loyalty and military service in return for land

4. Knights KNIGHTS = medieval Europe warriors
Similar to the samurai in Japan
Bound by a code of conduct known as CHIVALRY
Required to be brave, loyal, and true to their word
Also required to protect women

5. Manorialism
Basis of the medieval economy → ECONOMIC SYSTEM

6. Serfs Lords Manorialism Lords owned the manor
Serfs were bound to the land, but were not slaves
Could not leave the land without lord’s permission
Farm the land, repair fences and roads
Serfs
Lords
Protection during times of war; use of land

7. The Church in Medieval Life
Everyday Life
Christians attend village churches
Some priests run schools in village churches
All Christians pay taxes to the Church
Power of Church
Pope leads the Roman Catholic Church
Church has its own court and laws
Church excommunicates those who do not obey the rules
Nuns and Monks
Set up housing, hospitals, and schools for sick and poor
Some become missionaries
Some preserve writing by copying books
Reform
Church becomes rich and powerful
Some clergy become corrupt
Reformers try to make changes

8. Secular v. Religious Role of Church
WORLDLY power
Largest landowner in medieval Europe
Tithe = tax paid by all Christians (10% of income)
Power struggles with kings
Serve SPIRITUAL needs of worshipers
Instruct in doctrines of the faith
Provide sacraments

9. “All things were under its domain
“All things were under its domain Its power was such that no one could hope to escape its scrutiny.”
Which European institution during the Middle Ages is best described by this statement?
The Guild
Knighthood
The Church
The nation-state

10. The Middle Ages in Western Europe was characterized by
The manor system and the importance of land ownership
Absolute monarchies and strong central government
Decreased emphasis on religion in daily life
Extensive trade with Asia and the Middle East

11. Feudal societies are generally characterized by
An emphasis on social order
A representative government
Many economic opportunities
The protection of political rights

12. The art, music, and philosophy of the medieval period in Europe generally dealt with
Human scientific achievements
Religious themes
Materialism
Classic Greek and Roman subjects

13. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was the
Central government in Rome
Military alliance between France and Germany
Federation of craft guilds
Roman Catholic Church

14. Feudalism in Western Europe was similar to feudalism in Japan in that
Power was based on class relationships
Equality among the social classes
Direct democracy
Monotheism

15. Which is a characteristic of a feudal society?
Rapid social change
High literacy rate
Industrial based economy
Rigid class structure

16. In European feudal society, an individual’s social status was generally determined by
Birth
Education and training
Individual abilities
marriage

17. Which economic system existed in Europe during the early Middle Ages?
Free market
Socialism
Manorialism
Command

18. The Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in Europe can best be described as a church that
Favored separation from secular governments
Avoided involvement in social and educational matters
Was a strong force that divided many people
Was a stabilizing influence during a period of weak central governments

19. The Crusades
1095 CE – 1291 CE

20. Reasons for the Crusades
Christians want to re-capture the Holy Land from Muslims
The Pope believed that the Crusades would increase his power in Europe
Christians believed that their sins would be forgiven if they fought
Nobles hoped to gain wealth and land
Opportunity for adventure and excitement
Serfs hoped to escape their land

21. Impact of the Crusades Christians lost the Holy Land to Muslims
SHORT TERM
LONG TERM
Christians lost the Holy Land to Muslims
European interest in Eastern fabric, spices, and other goods increases
Europeans become interested in traveling
People learn about other cultures
Trade increases
People of different religions (Christian and Muslim) begin to hate each other
Kings become more powerful
Feudalism weakens – economy based on $, not land

22. In Europe, a long term effect of the Crusades was
The strengthening of the feudal system
The adoption of Islamic religious practices
An increased demand for goods from the East
Increased European isolation

23. Which statement best describes the result of the Crusades?
Europeans maintained a lasting control over much of the Middle East
Islamic influence dominated Europe
Europeans developed tolerance of non-Christian religions
Trade between Europe and the Middle East expanded

24. What were two indirect results of the Crusades?
Trade and commerce increased and the feudal system was strengthened
Trade and commerce declined and the feudal system was strengthened
Trade and commerce increased and the feudal system was weakened
Trade and commerce declined and the feudal system was weakened

25. In Europe, the Crusades resulted in
Greater isolation of the region from the world
An increased demand for goods from the Middle East and Asia
The adoption of Islam as the official religion of many European nations
The strengthening of the feudal system

26. The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failures
The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failures.” Which statement best explains this expression?
The Crusades did not achieve their original goals, but they brought about many desirable changes in Europe.
Although the Crusaders captured the Holy Land, they were unable to bring about democratic reforms.
The Crusaders helped bring about the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Crusaders prevented the Turks from capturing Constantinople for many centuries.

27. A major goal of the Christian Church during the Crusades (1096-1291) was to
Establish Christianity in western Europe
Capture the Holy Land from Islamic rulers
Unite warring Arab peoples
Strengthen English dominance in the Arab world

28. The Commercial Revolution
1100 Ce – 1300 ce

29. Italian City States Cities in Italy became wealthy centers of trade
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – geography
Increased interest in trade goods from Middle East as a result of the Crusades
VENICE became most powerful city-state in Italy

30. Trade Fairs and the Growth of Cities
Most trade in Europe occurred at TRADE FAIRS
Took place in towns where trade routes met – typically on rivers
Craftsmen and traders eventually settled at these locations and towns and cities grew
As towns and cities grow, the MIDDLE CLASS emerges – made up of merchants, traders, and artisans

31. The Hanseatic League
Group of traders and merchants in Northern Germany who joined forces in the 1100s
Banded together to protect their interests
Monopolized trade in the Baltic and North Seas
Worked together to control piracy, build lighthouses, and train sailors

32. Portugal and the Spice Trade
Spices especially valuable during Middle Ages
Pepper and cinnamon
Ottomans conquer the Byzantine Empire and trade to Middle East cut off
Need to find an alternate route
1400s: Portugal begins to explore the coast of Africa looking for a sea route to Asia
1500s: Portugal established trading posts in Africa, India, Japan, and China

33. Guilds
GUILD: a trade association made up of all people who worked in a particular profession (e.g. baking or weaving)
Why formed?
Make sure quality of goods stay high
Provide social services to members
Regulate hours of work and prices of goods
Train apprentices

34. Rise of CAPITALISM CAPITALISM
Economic system based on trade and money investment (capital)
COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION (business revolution)
Developed new ways of doing business
Partnerships and Joint Stock Companies
By “pooling” money, could afford to do things together that could not do individually
Banking
Loans for big adventures (e.g. sailing to foreign country)
Bills of exchange (a promise to pay a certain amount)
Insurance
Reduces business risk – if goods damaged or lost, most of the value covered

35. In Europe during the Middle Ages, increases in trade and commerce resulted in
Lower living standards for industrial workers
Decreased economic rivalry between kings
Increased political power for the clergy
Development of towns and cities

36. Which was a result of the Commercial Revolution?
Decline in population growth in Europe
Shift of power fro Western Europe to Eastern Europe
Spread of feudalism throughout Western Europe
Expansion of European influence overseas

37. Which system developed as a result of the Commercial Revolution?
Manorialism
Communism
Bartering
Market economy

38. The Plague

39. The Plague The Bubonic Plague = The BLACK DEATH A worldwide EPIDEMIC
Highly contagious disease spread by fleas on rats
Starts in Asia and spreads to Europe on trade ships

40. Effects of the Plague POPULATION LOSSES ECONOMIC DECLINE
China: 35 million die
Egypt: 7,000 die per day
Europe: 1/3 of population killed off
ECONOMIC DECLINE
Farm and industrial production decline
People demand higher wages → prices increase
Disrupts trade
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGE
Feudalism breaks down – peasants revolt against landowners
Kings gain more power and build more powerful nations
CONFUSION AND DISORDER
People question their faith and the Church
Some turn to magic and witchcraft
Thousands of Jews murdered – blamed for poisoning wells