Society & Government?

Viking structure

ThallsKarlsJarlsKing

Thalls

The slaves of the Vikings often captured from raids.

Another kind of slave was a bondsman, who was someone who had to pay a dept to someone and couldn't pay and had to work it off

Slaves in other civilisations

Slaves in Australia?NOWhy?

Karls

Karls were the middle class of the Vikings. Farmers, fishers & blacksmiths.

They were also traders who went from village to village selling goods (including slaves)

Jarls Jarls were near the top of the Viking social structure.

They were the nobles who controlled their own village and sometimes other villages too

They were often bigger and wealthier than the lower classes.

King

The king, or High-King of the Vikings was the tiptop of their government and society

In times of peace he called the meetings and when they warred they chose who to fight

He was born into his position by his blood, not the choice of all the Vikings

Eventually they died out because the Jarls wanted more power for themselves

Who made their rules?

Althing!

Much like today the Vikings created their rules and governed as a society

These meeting where rules were made were called Althings

Every Viking was required to attend and help decide if the rule was good or bad

This is called 'democracy'

How Australia makes rules?

Australia is slightly different as it has two 'houses' of government. The Senate which is the upper and the House of Representatives which is the lower

The lower house thinks up the rules, then sends them to then upper house

The upper house then decides if they should pass those laws and make them real.

House of RepresentativesCreates the lawsCreates the laws

House of RepresentativesCreates the lawsCreates the laws

The SenatePasses the lawsPasses the laws

The SenatePasses the lawsPasses the laws

Now it's YOUR turn!

Get into groups of 4-5

As a group of Vikings you need to think of a new Viking law

Next class we will have an Althing where as a class/Viking village we decide what our new laws are

Each person in the group needs to say something about your law when you present next week

Creating your own laws