The Middle Ages

| Review | Feudalism | Guilds | Gothic Architecture |  The Crusades | The Black Death |

After the fall of Rome, Europe plunged into an era known as the Middle Ages (Medieval Period).  This was a period characterized by a weak central government, feudalism, and the role of the Catholic Church.  This was not a time period of intellectual achievement that would be seen in the Renaissance.  The purpose of this page is to explore the Middle Ages and topics that are covered on the Regents.  The following links are to a review podcast and questions.

Castlelearning questions: https://castlelearning.com/review/login/login.aspx

Podcast link: http://ecs.schoolwires.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1044

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Feudalism in Europe

Code of Conduct for Knights-Chivalry

Feudalism was a political, social, and economic system in Europe. 

1. Political system-Nations had weak central governments
2. Social System-Rigid social class system
3. Manorialism-Was the economic system during the Middle Ages.  Manors were generally self-sufficient and relied on a three-field system.  In a three-field system, two fields were planted while one was left fallow.

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Image released to the public domain

Guilds-A guild was an association of merchants or craftspeople in the Middle Ages.  Guilds would set standards and regulations for a particular craft.  A person would start out as an apprentice, eventually become a journeyman, and eventually become a master. 

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The Crusades

Pope Urban II calling on Christians to take back the Holy Land

Image released to the public domain

The Crusades were a series of holy wars between Muslims and Christians during the 11th and 13th centuries.  Pope Urban II called upon all Christians to take back the Holy Land in the Middle East from the Muslims.  This led to an increase of trade and interaction between Europe and the Middle East. 

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The Black Death

The Black Death (bubonic plague) was a disease that came to Europe from Asia via the Silk Road in the mid 14th century.  It would wipe out a 1/3 of the European population and have devastating implications for the European economy.  However, this did lead to a decline in feudalism.

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