unit 6 the early middle ages-3 - duplin county schools...unit 6: the early middle ages reading...
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Unit 6: The Early Middle Ages Reading Review
The Middle Ages was a period of time in Europe after
the fall of The Western Roman Empire in 476 AD until the
slow re-emergence of centralized governments and an
appreciation for philosophy, culture, and art in around 1500
A.D.
The Western Roman Empire was a massive empire
with a central capital in the city of Rome in modern day Italy. The Roman government
provided consistent laws throughout its large empire. If you were living in the Roman Empire
you could travel relatively safely on Roman roads under the protection of Roman soldiers that
enforced Roman laws. This allowed for trading and the exchange of ideas throughout the
empire (Cultural diffusion).
Roman culture included an appreciation for reading, writing, philosophy, and other
academic and intellectual activities. Many people within the empire that had the money, time,
and resources would travel to Rome either to trade or take part in the many religious and
cultural festivals that were thrown there.
However, The Western Roman Empire slowly decayed because of government
corruption, constant warfare, and a poor economy just to name a few reasons. Eventually the
once massive and powerful empire fell to Germanic invaders in 476 A.D. This brought about
the period that historians now call ‘The Middle Ages.’ When the empire fell, there was no
longer a consistent set of laws throughout Western Europe and the areas surrounding The
Mediterranean sea. Instead of one centralized
government with one single emperor, there was
political chaos. This means that many local kings and
soldiers fought for power over small pieces of land
and territory.
Feudalism is a term that is used to describe the small broken up kingdoms of
Western Europe after the fall of The Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. The Roman Empire
had one single government with a single emperor. After Rome fell, many people fought over
control of small and local pieces of land. Unlike during the days when The Roman Empire
held power, it was no longer possible for people to travel long distances under the protection
of one single government. Instead, most people stayed close to where they were in the fear
that they would be attacked, robbed, or killed if they left the relative safety of their homes.
Without the consistent protection of Roman law and Roman soldiers, most people were
desperate to feel safe in a politically chaotic world. It is because of this that the social and
economic system of Feudalism developed! Peasant farmers needed protection, and could
offer their labor (work) in exchange for that protection. Local kings and lords had land to
spare, and could pay for soldiers to fight for them in exchange for land. This lead to the
following social and economic stratification (layers)...
The development of Feudalism in Europe meant that trade slowed down to a trickle, the
exchange of ideas and goods nearly stopped, and culture became stagnant and relatively
unchanging. There was no political consistency, with small-scale kings and lords constantly
squabbling and fighting for little pieces of power and land!
Stagnant Pond = Social Stratification of Medieval Europe
Born a peasant -- Die a Peasant!
Critical Thinking Questions -- Workout Your
Mind!!!
1)Check for Understanding: How was the political (government) structure of The
Western Roman Empire different than The Middle Ages?
2)Check for Understanding: How was culture in Medieval Europe ‘Stagnant’
3) What does Feudalism mean in your own words?
4) Why did peasants agree to work for lords and kings?
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