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MEDIEVAL EUROPE. Changes in Europe after the Fall of Rome. Disruption of Trade – trade routes are no longer protected – businesses collapse – cities are no longer centers of trade – leads to……. Downfall of Cities – leads to…… Population Shifts – people move from the city to the country.
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Changes in Europe after the Fall of Rome Disruption of Trade – trade routes are no longer protected – businesses collapse – cities are no longer centers of trade – leads to……. Downfall of Cities – leads to…… Population Shifts – people move from the city to the country
Decline of Learning – • Germanic tribes had no written language • Knowledge of Greek is lost • Education confined to monasteries • Loss of Common Language (Latin) • New dialects develop – the beginning of the Romance languages
Government becomes decentralized Emphasis is on family ties and personal loyalty Governed by unwritten rules and traditions Communities are made up of chiefs and warriors who fight and in return get food, weapons and “booty”. (Think Beowulf or Skyrim.)
Contributions Founder of the Merovingian Dynasty United all of the Franks under one ruler Conquered Gaul laying the groundwork for the future nation of France Converts to Christianity – gains support of the Church FUN FACT: The name Louis is derived from Clovis and 18 French kings will bear this name!
Contributions Mayor of the palace / leader of army and policy maker – held more power than the king! Extended Frankish territory Victorious over the army of the Umayyad Caliphate (Al-Andalus / Spain) at the Battle of Tours which halted the expansion of Islam into Europe
Contributions • Expanded Frankish territory into an empire covering most of Western Europe • This had the effect of spreading Christianity • Crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in recognition of his defense of Rome – the first Holy Roman Emperor • A growing alliance between the Church and state • Supported education – brought scholars to court, opened monastery schools, expanded monastery libraries
The word Viking = Norse for piracy • Vikings or Norse come from 3 main areas: • Denmark • Sweden • Norway • The Danes invaded England in 865 and take over the Eastern half of the island. They might have taken over the whole place if Alfred the Great hadn’t stopped them!
The Swedes FUN FACT: The Finnish name for the Swedes was the Rus. They settled in the area of what would become St. Petersburg and found the first Russian state in the Ukraine.
Fun Fact FUN FACT: To this day, Iceland has a pagan leader. And road crews sometimes consult with mediums to make sure that they won’t disturb the elves.
Impact of Invasions Further decentralized government Destabilized Europe People looked for local solutions to their problems – local rulers / warlords Development of feudalism
Homework • READ the package titled Feudalism in Europe • ANSWER the following questions: • Define the following terms: • Lord • Vassal • Fief • What is the feudal pyramid? • Into what 3 groups are people classified? • What are serfs? • What are the obligations of a serf? Of his lord? • What are the living conditions of a serf?