The Rise of Europe and the Medieval Church

Unit 2: Regional Civilizations330 AD – 1650 AD • (Part 1: Chapters 7 – 9) • The Middle Ages in Europe and the Rise of Russia

Chapter 7: The Rise of Europe500 – 1300 AD • As Roman civilization declined, Europe became an isolated land of disunity, conflict, and poverty. Charlemagne, allied with the Roman Catholic Church, created a new empire with a blend of German, Roman, and Christian traditions. After his death, however, internal divisions and invasions once again disrupted European life. EQ: What were the key characteristics of life in Medieval Europe?

S. 1: The Early Middle Ages • The united force of the Roman Empire is replaced by many Germanic Kingdoms • Ex: Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks • Period between ancient times and modern times, about 500 to 1500 AD, is called the Middle Ages • Medieval means ‘Middle Age’ in Latin Why is this period known as the Middle Ages?

The Age of Charlemagne • Charlemagne = ‘Charles the Great’ • In 768, He briefly united Western Europe when he built an empire reaching across modern-day France, Germany, and part of Italy • His Legacy • Extended Christian civilization into northern Europe • Furthered the blending of Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions • An example of how to set up strong, efficient government “Father of Europe”

S. 2: Feudalism and the Manor Economy • Feudalism: A Political System • In the face of invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars, people needed protection. (Feudalism helped provide that.) • Feudalism • A decentralized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their land among lesser lords. • Lesser lords, vassals, pledged service and loyalty to the greater lord in return.

The Manor: An Economic System • The manor (the powerful lords estate / land and property) = the heart of the medieval economy • The Majority of the population = peasants • Peasants lived and worked on the manor (in return they received protection) • Most peasants were serfs = bound to the land Discussion Q: Why do you think the majority of the population were peasants?

Visual of Feudalism

S.3: The Medieval Church • *The Church and its teachings were central to medieval life. • While it took centuries for Christian missionaries to spread their faith across Europe, in time the Roman Church rose to great political and economic power. • The Village Church • Place of worship and social center • Excommunication • A powerful tool of the Roman Catholic Church. • If you failed to obey church law, you could be excluded from the church. Why would people be afraid of being excommunicated?

Church Power Grows • The Church controlled not only spiritual life but gradually became the most powerful secular force in medieval Europe • Ex: The pope, living in Rome, is viewed as the leader of the Roman Church. • Medieval popes claimed papal supremacy, which means authority over all kings and emperors Discussion Q: How is the church much different in the Middle Ages than it was in its early years? How do you think the issue of papal supremacy could become a source of conflict in Medieval Europe?

S.4: Economic Recovery Sparks Change • Changes in Europe set the stage for economic prosperity. • It began in the countryside, where peasants used new farming technology to increase production. Resulted in an agricultural revolution that transformed Europe. Example: The heavy-wheeled plow allowed farmers to dig deeper and make more soil minerals possible. (www.vlib.us)

Chain of Economic Growth • Technology improves farming -> Production and Population Grow -> Trade and Travel Increased -> Growth of Towns and Cities -> Beginnings of Modern Business –> The Rise of the Middle Class

Quick Review • Why is the period of time from about 500 – 1500 referred to as the ‘medieval times’? • What is the significance of Charlemagne? • How does feudalism work? • What role did the church play during the middle ages? • How did economic growth take place?

The Rise of Europe and the Medieval Church