1. Unit 2: Regional Civilizations 730 BC – 1650 AD
(Part 1: Chapters 7 – 9)
The Middle Ages in Europe and the Rise of Russia

2. Quick Review of Ch. 7
Why is the period of time from about 500 – 1500 referred to as the ‘medieval times’?
What is the significance of Charlemagne?
How does feudalism work?
What role did the church play during the middle ages?
How did economic growth take place?

3. Chapter 8: The High and Late Middle Ages (1050 – 1450)
During the Middle Ages, strong monarchs in England and France worked to increase their land holdings and the numbers of their subjects.
EQ: What were the achievements and setbacks that took place in Europe during the high and late Middle Ages?

4. S.1: Royal Power Grows
As medieval monarchs struggled to exert royal authority over nobles and churchmen, they slowly built the framework for the independent European nation-states of today.
William the Conqueror invades England and becomes king in Following him, English Kings will strengthen their power.

5. Changing Traditions of Government
English rulers often clashed with nobles (wealthy landowners) and the Church, leading to adjustments in government.
The Magna Carta (in 1215)
Stated that nobles had certain rights (eventually extended to all English citizens)
States the king must also obey the law
Parliament Established
Parliament: An assembly to advise English rulers (Nobles wanted to give their input to the king)
It helped to unify England
How are these kind of ideas reflected in our government today?

6. S.2: The Holy Roman Empire and the Church
A Map of the Holy Roman Empire in 1250

7. S.2: The Holy Roman Empire and the Church
The Churches influence spread while monarchs became more powerful. This resulted in major conflict between secular rulers and church officials as both held positions of authority in the Middle Ages.
Popes vs. Rulers of the Holy Roman Empire
‘Holy’ because they were crowned by the pope and ‘Roman’ because they viewed themselves as heirs to the emperors of Ancient Rome.

8. S.3 The Crusades and the Wider World
Beginning in 1096, the Crusades were wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control of lands in the Middle East.
The Crusades continued off and on for about 200 years. In the end, Christians were unsuccessful in gaining control of the Holy Land (City of Jerusalem).
Why do you think both Christians and Muslims wanted control of Jerusalem?
Why is there still so much conflict in Israel to this day?

9. The Impact of the Crusades
European trade increased and expanded east
Helped increase the power of monarchs (kings)
New rights to collect taxes to pay for the Crusades
Brought the pope’s power to great heights
Enthusiasm for the crusades
A Wider Worldview Develops
Desire to travel east and trade with India and China would lead Europeans to a new age of exploration

10. S.4: Learning and Culture Flourish
By the 1100s, a more reliable food supply and growth of trade and towns.
As economic and political conditions improved, the need for education expanded.
The church wanted better-educated clergy (church officials).
Why do you think increased education is so important to the development of society & culture?

11. Medieval Literature
Included epics, long narrative poems, about knights and chivalry as well as tales of the common people.
Divine Comedy
An imaginary journey into hell
and then a vision of heaven
Humor, tragedy, and medieval
quest for religious understanding
Canterbury Tales
A range of characters (a knight, a
monk, a merchant) traveling to Saint
Thomas Becket’s Tomb in Canterbury
Provides a close look at 3 classes of
society: Nobles, The Middle Class, &
Peasants
What does the fact that these were popular works of literature at the time tell us about the Middle Ages?

12. S. 5: A Time of Crisis
To Europeans the mid-1300s seemed like the end of the world
Widespread crop failures brought famine
Plague kills 1/3 of population
Hundred Years War Between France and England
(1337 – 1453)

13. The Black Death: A Global Epidemic
Early 1300s, Rats spread the plague in China, killing about 35 million
Fleas from the rats travel with traders traveling west during the mid 1300’s.
Disease quickly spread from Asia to the Middle East to Europe
About 1/3 of Europe’s population dies, the economy suffers, and social unrest spreads

14. Quick Review
Why did medieval kings often have conflict with nobles? Church officials?
What were the Crusades? Their impact?
How did the Black Plague come about in Europe? It’s impact?