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The Early Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages. During the early middle ages, 500 to 1000, Europe was isolated from the more advanced civilizations in the Middle East , South Asia and China. A Land of Great Potential Roman roads connected places, spreading Christianity, classical ideas, and the Latin language.

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The Early Middle Ages

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  1. The Early Middle Ages

  2. During the early middle ages, 500 to 1000, Europe was isolated from the more advanced civilizations in the Middle East, South Asia and China. A Land of Great Potential Roman roads connected places, spreading Christianity, classical ideas, and the Latin language. Don’t write

  3. Geography: Western Europe: relatively small Resources: • Dense forests • Rich black earth good for farming • Rich minerals • Seas (Mediterranean, Black, North, Baltic), and Atlantic Ocean

  4. Germanic Tribes Farmers and herders • Very different than the Romans • Small communities (no cities) • No written laws, relied on custom • Ruled by kings • Noble warriors • Divided Western Europe into small kingdoms. • Most successful kingdom: Franks

  5. Islam: A New Mediterranean Power • Conquered Christian kingdoms in Spain and North Africa. • Tried to conquer France but lost the Battle of Tours (732).

  6. Charlemagne(Charles the Great) • Around A.D. 800 •  His empire unified Europe (France, Germany, Italy)—put together the old Roman Empire • Tall man, intimidating on a horse (giant), liked fighting • Spent most of his time fighting Muslims (Moors) in Spain, Saxons in the North, Avars and Slavs in the east and Lombards in Italy. • Crowned emperor by the Pope  paving way to split between East and West (*Eastern emperor was not happy!*)

  7. Charlemagne’s Government • Tried to spread Christianity. • Appointed missi domini to check on provinces

  8. A Revival of Learning • Tried to revive learning of Latin • Tried to reverse the trend of ignorance • Set up a school at Aachen run by Alcuin Subjects: grammar, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy Books: Bible, ancient manuscripts

  9. New Attacks • After Charlemagne’s death, Muslims, Magyars and Vikings attacked. • Vikings were the most vicious attackers but traded extensively too. Leif Eriksson – sailed to N.A. in 1,000.

  10. Political Feudalism- A political system which exchanges land for military service. • King gives lord (vassal) a fief (land).In exchange, the lord (vassal) gives the king his loyalty and protection when needed. • Lords gradually became more powerful than kings as they acquired more land.

  11. Feudalism King or lord Vassal or lord Required to give: -Fief (land) Required to give: -loyalty -military service

  12. Kings and Lords were at the top of the social hierarchy. Knights- mounted warriors Chivalry- code of conduct for knights (be brave, loyal, polite) Social

  13. Feudal lords battled constantly for power and land • By the 1100’s, fighting declined so lords held tournaments (fake battles) to entertain people.

  14. Serfs- peasants who worked the lord’s land • They could not leave without permission • They paid the lord rent in food and labor (no $$) for use of the land and protection.

  15. Role of Women • Noblewomen managed the household and were in change when men were away. • Rights: • Received a limited inheritance • Arranged marriages, expected to have many kids • Few knew how to read and write • Chivalry raised women to a new status. They were protected and cherished.

  16. Economic Manorialism- an economy where land, not money, is the basis of wealth

  17. Manor- the lord’s estate, which included the town, peasant houses, church, and fields - Self-sufficient, which led to a decline in trade • Three-field system- two fields planted, one left fallow (empty) to regain fertility

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