Fall of Rome and Rise of Feudalism
Objective: Explain the CAUSES and CONSEQUENCES of political decentralization in Europe from 600 to 1450 CE
A. Summarize the Middle Ages (medieval period) of Western Europe.
B. Describe the system of decentralized governance used by Europe in the Middle Ages.
C. In feudalism, there were several relationships, explain them below:
E. Describe the manorial system; how was it similar and different to feudalism (think about which of the SPICET themes each reflects)?
F. Explain two new characteristics in the later Middle Ages that led to stronger monarchies. Why did this change create conflict?
G. Describe the bureaucracy of France in the Middle Ages and evaluate its level of success.
H. Describe the governing system of the Holy Roman Empire and what led to its decline.
I. Describe the feudal system of Norman England and explain how it changed in 1215 and 1265.
A. Summarize the Middle Ages (medieval period) of Western Europe.
B. Describe the system of decentralized governance used by Europe in the Middle Ages.
C. In feudalism, there were several relationships, explain them below:
- Monarch:
- Lords:
- Peasants:
E. Describe the manorial system; how was it similar and different to feudalism (think about which of the SPICET themes each reflects)?
F. Explain two new characteristics in the later Middle Ages that led to stronger monarchies. Why did this change create conflict?
G. Describe the bureaucracy of France in the Middle Ages and evaluate its level of success.
H. Describe the governing system of the Holy Roman Empire and what led to its decline.
I. Describe the feudal system of Norman England and explain how it changed in 1215 and 1265.
Introduction
For centuries, Rome help centralized control over much of Europe, parts of the Middle East and parts of Africa. It was during this time, that Christianity began and spread all over Europe. Disease, over taxation, corruption and attacks from nomadic tribes eventually led to the collapse of this large empire. In 324, Emperor Diocletian split the empire in two. You then had the Western part of the empire and the more prosperous Eastern Roman Empire. Constantine transferred the capital to Byzantium which became Constantinople. By 476, Germanic leaders overthrew the last Western Roman Emperor. Western Europe then developed feudalism as a political and economic structure. The Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium continued until 1450 when the Ottoman Turks captured the capital of Constantinople. In Eastern Europe Kiev Rus began. That would later become the Russian Empire. Below you have a link for each section of Europe. Follow the links and answer the questions above. Even as Western Europe fragmented and the Byzantines declined, they were held together culturally by the Catholic Church.
Western Europe |
Byzantine Empire |
Kiev Rus |