Read the info and then answer the questions.
Sometimes mistakenly called the "dark ages" European history from the fall of Rome until the Renaissance that began in Italy is a complex topic. Allow approximately two weeks to complete the reading and assignments for this chapter.
Begin your study of this period with a short reading assignment in the textbook referenced in the course description. In European History read "Papal Power in the Middle Ages" and "Society in the Middle Ages" from the Introduction, and read all of Chapter 1.
Next, read through these short "lectures" written by Lynn H. Nelson of the University of Kansas (some of them are actually quite funny) and watch the short videos, some of which were created by a social studies teacher. (Sometimes YouTube has great little gems.) The questions following some of the links will be on the worksheet for this unit.
The Rise of the Western Church
*What is the importance of the Council of Nicaeca?
Video: Medieval Christian Church
Video: Medieval Europe: Religion in Medieval Europe
Islam and the Prophet Muhammad
*Why was Islam able to spread so quickly?
The Carolingian Empire
*note the inter-connectedness of Byzantine, Muslim, and Frankish empires
*Who was Charlemagne revolting against?
*Why was Charlemagne's rule so pivotal for Western Europe?
The Fall of the Carolingian Empire
*What were some of King Louis's mistakes?
*What is "primogeniture"?
Three Views of Feudalism
*note the use of 1920's-30's American gangs to explain feudalism
Video: Medieval Europe: Feudalism
The Peasants: Advances in Agricultural Technology
The Revival of Commerce and Towns
*note the importance of agricultural developments to the advancement of civilization
The First Crusade
*What was the role of Pope Urban III in the crusades?
Video: The History Channel: Pint Size History - The Crusades
State of the Nobility
*How did the rise of strong monarchies and the middle class affect feudal society?
*What is the origin of the idea of "soul-mates"?
*What was the greatest change in the feudal aristocracy?
The Paupers
*What created the class of paupers in medieval society?
The Rise of Capitalism and Decline of the Guilds
*What was the role of the Guild in medieval society?
Video: Medieval Guilds
Video: Revival of Medieval Trade
The Great Famine and the Black Death
*Name three factors contributing to the Great Famine
The Avignon Papacy
*Explain the contention between King Phillip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII
*Why was the papal court moved from Rome?
The Hundred Years' War
*What was the root cause of the war?
*What prevented France (which had more people and resources) from winning the war?
Video: Magna Carta
The Sundering of Society
The Rise of National Monarchies
*How and why did the monarchies of the 15th century and beyond hold more power than previous monarchies in Europe?
1) What was the importance/outcome of the Council of Nicaeca?
2) What factors contributed to the ease with which Islam spread?
3) Who was Charlemagne revolting against?
4) Why was Charlemagne's rule so pivitol for Western Europe?
5) What were some of King Louis's mistakes?
6) What is "'primogeniture"?
7) In your own words, explain the system of feudalism in medieval society
8) Explain the importance of agricultural developments in the rise of commerce and growth of towns.
9) What was the role of Pope Urban II in the First Crusade?
10) How did the rise of strong monarchies and the middle class affect feudal society?
11) What is the origin of the idea of "soul-mates"?
12) What was the greatest change in the feudal aristocracy?
13) What created the class of paupers in medieval society?
14) What was the role of the Guilds?
15) What impact did the rise of towns have on medieval society?
16) Name three factors contributing to the Great Famine.
17) What was the main factor contributing to the spread of the Black Death?
18) What were three immediate consequences of the plague?
19) Explain the contention between King Phillip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII.
20) Why was the papal court moved from Rome?
21) What was the root cause of the Hundred Years' War?
22) What prevented France (which had more people and resources) from winning the war?
23) How and why did monarchs of the 15th century and beyond hold more power than previous monarchs in Europe?