AP World HistoryOctober 22, 2015

Warm Up – October 22, 2015

Trade during the medieval period: A. Weakened in the Baltic regions as continental routes broadened B. Placed the power of the merchant classes in competition with

monarchial power C. Shifted away from the Mediterranean basin after the fall of

RomeD. Placed Europe within the Muslim commercial networkE. Was balanced between Eastern and Western markets

Agenda

• Intro to Medieval Europe & Feudalism

• Reminders: • Chapter 10 due Friday• HW – Chapter 10 Guided Reading

Essential Question

•What would you do if you suddenly had to live on your own, without your parents?

The Middle AgesThe Decline of the Western Roman Empire & the Rise of

Feudalism

The Middle Ages in 3 ½ Minutes

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EAMqKUimr8

Feudalism

• Feudalism began in Europe as a way to offer protection:• Feudalism is a series of agreements

between lords & knights in which lords offer land in exchange for loyalty & military protection from knights

• Lords built castles to protect peasants from outside invasions

Feudal Structure

Kings had land but very little powerLords (also called Nobles) were the upper-class landowners; they had

inherited titles (“Duke,” “Earl,” “Sir”)

Knights were specially trained soldiers who protect the lords & peasants

Some peasants were serfs & could not leave the lord’s estate

Medieval Castles

If you don’t own land or have money, how do you survive?

Manorial System

• The manorial system produced the food for people to eat:• Lords allowed peasants to live on their land in

exchange for a portion of the food they grew • Peasants agreed to pay “rent” to the nobles

in exchange for shelter & protection• Peasant life was difficult: they were dependent upon the lords & got lots of diseases

I am the King!! I have so much

land!!

I think I’ll build myself a castle, but I have no power

so maybe I should give fiefs to some lords

Thank you king for this fief. As your

loyal lords we will oversee this land

We will fight for the king and provide him with food

from our lands, but this territory to too large.

Let’s pick the best land to build our homes on, then let’s give fiefs to some

vassals!!

Thank you lords for this fief. We promise loyalty, military service,

& a portion of our food

Let’s pick the best land to build our homes on!!

Aren’t we going to need protection, too?

Oh yeah, let’s give fiefs to some knights also!

Let’s allow serfs to do all the work & provide us with food! We will gain their

work & loyalty

Thank you vassals for allowing us to live on this land. We provide you loyalty, military

service, & a portion of our food

According to the code of Chivalry, I will forever protect my lord & vassal, my God,

and my sweetie-pie at home!

The Power of the Christian Church•Many people in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire were polytheistic but Christians converted many “barbarians”• In this time of chaos, the Christian church emerged as a stable & unifying force in Western Europe

The Power of the Christian Church• Catholicism became the dominant religion in Western Europe:• Without a common government

to hold everyone together, the Church filled an important role in peoples’ lives

• The Catholic Pope became the strongest political leader in Western Europe

The Power of the Christian Church• Each territory in Western Europe had a monastery (where monks lived) & provided order for the feudal manors:• Local priests were important because the

church taught that all people are sinners & need God’s forgiveness

• Christians paid a tithe (percentage of their food as a tax to the church)