1 / 20

Western Europe: The Middle Ages

Explore the intricacies of Western Europe in the Middle Ages, from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the rise of feudalism, the power of the Catholic Church, and the flourishing trade networks. Discover the dynamics of medieval society through the lens of monasteries, manors, guilds, and the impact of the Christian Crusades. Uncover the shifts in political, social, and economic structures that shaped this pivotal period in history.

margaretpwilliams
Download Presentation

Western Europe: The Middle Ages

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Western Europe: The Middle Ages The Middle Ages: 476-1450

  2. Europe in the 500s CE Effects of the Roman Empire’s Collapse -Population reduced by over 25% -Lack of centralization in government – strong local elites took control of smaller areas - Christianity provided limited unity throughout Europe - New Germanic rulers of disunited kingdoms tried to retain some aspects of Rome (they admired it!) - Germanic people become the “dominant peoples”

  3. The Medieval Catholic Church • monasticism: monks & nuns living together in organized communities • poverty, chastity, and obedience. • provided schools • monasteries = inns, hospitals, refuge • libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts. • monks  missionaries

  4. A Medieval Monk’s Day

  5. The Power of the Medieval Church • church controlled 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. • tithe  1/10 tax given to the church. • Canon law: The Law of the Church

  6. Pope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800 Europe does briefly experience some unity under the rule of Charlemagne (“Charles the Great”)

  7. The Government Structure of Medieval Western Europe

  8. Feudalism • A political and social system based on loyalty, land, and military service. -Occurs due to weakness in the centralized government - As central authority breaks down, people look to local leaders for protection Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in exchange for protection Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to provide military service

  9. Feudalism Structure

  10. The Economic System of Medieval Western Europe

  11. Manorialism • An localized economic system • Needed products were made on a large land estate called a Manor • Barter was common • Trade was not as prominent

  12. The Medieval Manor

  13. Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work

  14. The Late Middle Ages -Increasing stability and security in Western Europe -Climate change (warmer!) -Population grew from 35 million people to 80 million people by 1340 -Growth of trade due to agricultural expansion

  15. Changes During the Late Middle Ages • Populations of cities and towns grew • New sources of power (wind & water) increased production • Trade picked up in the Mediterranean • Groups of people organized themselves into guilds

  16. Medieval Guilds Guild Hall • Associations of Craftsmen controlling trades (ex: shoe makers, stained glass makers, etc.) • Controlled membershipapprentice journeyman  master craftsman • Controlled quality of the product & prices

  17. Popes vs. Kings • Relationship between the Church and State became more tense as Kings began to centralize control • Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of France • Investiture Controversy • Issues over appointments • Papacy over the crown?

  18. Magna Carta, 1215:ENGLAND • English Kings had the most difficulty centralizing control • “Great Charter” • kings had to consult a council of advisors to tax • Rights of NOBILTY

  19. Christian Crusades

  20. Pope Urban II: Preaching a Crusade • -Series of “Holy Wars” with a goal to recapture the Holy Lands (E. Mediterranean) from Muslims • Viewed as being done at God’s command and authorized by the Pope • Results: Europe came into contact with more advanced civilizations to the East, trade picked up, more luxury goods flowed into Europe

More Related