1. Rise of Europe

2. Rise of Germanic Kingdoms
Roman Empire falls
Germanic tribes rise
Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks
Mostly farmers and herders (far different from Rome)
New cultures start to blend
Germanic tribes with Christian traditions of Rome
Islam becomes a relevant in the world
Began in 600s
Overrun Christian lands in Palestine and North Africa
Eventually make its way into Europe where it is finally stopped in France in 732

3. Charlemagne Briefly united Western Europe
Spent much of his reign fighting the Muslims in Spain
Pope Leo III crowns him Emperor of Rome
This split Rome into Western and Eastern empires
Also split the Christian world
Wanted to unify Christian Europe
Set up local rulers and systems to hear of problems in different regions; encouraged learning
After Charlemagne
Further spread Christianity
Empire did not stay in tact because Muslims attacks continued and Viking raids

4. Feudalism
Loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser lords.
In exchange, the lesser lords would pledge service and loyalty.
Manors- lord’s estate
Serfs- bound to the land (not slaves but………..)
Could not leave or marry without the lord’s permission
Worked the land and did the jobs of the manor
Paid fees to the lord in exchange for protection
In theory, they were guaranteed food, housing, and land

5. Medieval Church Middle Ages
Church set out to convert Western Europe
Late Middle Ages- Western Europe was a Christian civilization
Administered sacraments- sacred rites of the Church
Hierarchy- village churches, bishops, pope
Women- equal before God, but needed men on earth.
Power grows
Papal supremacy
Canon law- Church had its own laws
Corruption
Excommunication threats- can’t receive the sacraments or burial
Uneven distribution of wealth (selling offices of the church, etc.)
Reform movement happens to fix many of these problems

6. Economy Agricultural Revolution Travel gets better and so does trade
Better tools like iron plow, new kind of harness.
Clear forests, drain swamps, and claim grazing land
Three-field system- 1st- grain; 2nd, peas and beans; 3rd- unplanted.
Travel gets better and so does trade
With trade increasing, so did the need for commercial businesses like banks
Creates partnerships and more modern business means
Merchants, traders, and artisans form middle class
Guilds develop- associations of artisans or merchants
Children would become apprentices, or trainee. (Could be women as well)

7. Townlife Towns had large walls
As population grew, room in the walls was overflowing
Narrow streets
Led to:
Filthy conditions
No garbage collection or sewer system- simply thrown out into the streets.
Constant threat of fire