1. Chapter 8 The Middle Ages
By Frank Bommarito

2. Medieval Europe
Medieval Europe occurred shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD
After the fall of the Romans, Europe basically became “up for grabs”
Medieval European countries and states were constantly being invaded or attacked by stronger empires
The major kingdoms and empires were the German states, Vikings, Muslims, Normans, and later, the Holy Roman Empire
Besides the change in the landscape of Europe, many other things were changing as well

3. Feudalism
After various invasions on the newly separated lands that were once the Roman empire, a system called feudalism emerges
In feudalistic society kings were virtually powerless
Instead of kings, Lords, or local noblemen, ruled over their piece of land
For this land, vassals had to exchange service
On this land, lived peasants who worked the farms everyday
This allowed for the people on the feif to live off the land

4. Feudal Warfare From the feudal society came a unique type of warfare
Knights were the warriors
They lived by a strict code for everyday life called Chivalry
Chivalry- code of conduct
a) Greatly stressed bravery, honesty and generosity

5. a)Nuns and Monks had complete dedication
The Medieval Church
The only thing that crossed the many boundaries of the Middle Ages was the Medieval Church
They educated many kings and lords
They owned enormous pieces of land and offered Church indulgences for the forgiveness of sins
People who committed heresy or questioned the church were usually excommunicated by the pope
It was believed that the best way to serve God was to dedicate their whole life to his service
a)Nuns and Monks had complete dedication

6. Medieval Culture and Technology
Architecture had major advances, especially that of Cathedrals.
a)Romanesque (columns,arches and domes)
b)Gothic (windows and flying buttresses)
Literature had two revolutionary writers emerge: Dante and Chaucer
New inventions such as the improved plow, horse shoe, water mill, and wind mill made farm life easier
Also with these inventions came a growth in trade
Middle class emerged due to the new job oppurtunities

7. Science bloomed as well did medicine and education
The Church,however, still had the main authority on almost all issues
Universities began teaching the ideas of Aristotle, Roman Law and were also run by the clergy

8. The Crusades
In 1071 Seljuk Turks conquer Jerusalem and torture the Christians
Pope Urban II preaches the Crusade to recapture the Holy Land in 1095
reunite the church
control the Holy Land
increase prestige of the Church
response was great
salvation, greed
The crusades lasted until1212

9. After the crusades The Church’s power temporarily increased but the crusades also tarnished the Church’s image
Many people saw how the church would kill to stay in power
Europe also began to change more quickly

10. Review
1) In Europe during the Middle Ages, increases in trade and commerce resulted in
 1. 
lower living standards for industrial workers
 2. 
decreased economic rivalry between kings
 3. 
increased political power for the clergy
 4. 
development of towns and cities
2) 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

11. 3) In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was the
 1. 
central government in Rome
 2. 
military alliance between France and Germany
 3. 
federation of the craft guilds
 4. 
Roman Catholic Church
4) Which is a characteristic of a feudal society?  1. 
rapid social change
high literacy rate
industrial-based economy
rigid class structure

12. 5) Which economic system existed in Europe during the early Middle Ages?
 1. 
free market
 2. 
socialism
 3. 
manorialism
 4. 
command
Answer Key: 1) Choice ) Choice 3 3) Choice 4 4) Choice 4 5) Choice 3

13. In Conclusion
At the end of the middle ages there were many changes from the previous Empires
The Middle ages ended with the black death
It was a spread of the bubonic plague that eventually would go on to kill 1 of every 3 people in Europe
It also caused a complete economic crash

14. Important Dates
1066: William Duke of Normandy crossd into England and declared himself King of England
1348: Middle ages end