The Fall of Rome & Early Medieval Europe
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| The Fall of Rome & Early Medieval Europe | |
| ● Fall of Rome (476 CE) – Collapse of centralized authority; led to political fragmentation | |
| and loss of long-distance trade. | |
| ● Dark Ages/Early Middle Ages – Period marked by ruralization, decline of learning, and | |
| local warfare. | |
| ● Manorial System – Economic system where peasants lived and worked on a lord’s | |
| estate in exchange for protection. | |
| ● Subsistence Agriculture – Farming for survival rather than trade; characteristic of the | |
| early medieval economy. | |
| Feudalism | |
| ● Feudal System – Political and social hierarchy based on landholding and loyalty. | |
| ● King → Nobles → Knights → Peasants/Serfs – Structure of obligations. | |
| ● Knights – Warriors who pledged loyalty and military service; governed small plots of | |
| land (fiefs). | |
| ● Chivalry – Code of conduct emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and protecting the weak. | |
| The Medieval Church | |
| ● Catholic Church – Central institution unifying Western Europe; controlled education, | |
| daily life, and law. | |
| ● Pope Innocent III – Expanded papal authority; claimed supremacy over monarchs. | |
| ● Stained Glass Windows – Taught Bible stories to an illiterate population. | |
| ● Universities – Grew around cathedrals; trained clergy and helped standardize learning. | |
| The Crusades | |
| ● Crusades – Series of military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land. | |
| ● Pope Urban II – Called for the First Crusade to fight Muslim Turks. | |
| ● First Crusade – Crusaders captured Jerusalem; resulted in massacre of many | |
| inhabitants. | |
| The Great Schism (1054) | |
| ● Break between Roman Catholic (West) and Eastern Orthodox (East). | |
| ● Key Issue: The pope’s claim to authority over all Christians. | |
| Reconquista | |
| ● Reconquista (Spain) – Christian kingdoms’ effort to retake Iberia from Muslim rule. | |
| ● Impact: Expulsion of Jews and Muslims led to economic decline and loss of cultural | |
| diversity. | |
| Medieval Kingdoms | |
| ● French Kings (e.g., Philip II) – Expanded royal lands; strengthened centralized power. | |
| ● English Kings – Weakened due to conflict with nobles. | |
| ● Magna Carta (1215) – Limited royal power; established that even the king must obey the | |
| law. | |
| Byzantine Empire & Constantinople | |
| ● Byzantine Empire – Eastern continuation of Roman Empire. | |
| ● Constantinople – Thrived due to location on trade routes and strong walls. | |
| ● Icon Controversy – Disagreement over use of religious images contributed to the Great | |
| Schism. | |
| Agricultural Improvements | |
| ● Heavy Plow, Three-Field System, Horse Collar – Increased food production. | |
| ● Result: Population growth, rise of towns, revival of trade, emergence of middle class. | |
| MAIN IDEAS TO KNOW | |
| Impact of Rome’s Fall | |
| ● Western Europe fragmented. | |
| ● Decline in trade, cities, learning. | |
| How Feudalism Restored Order | |
| ● Provided security through local lords and knights. | |
| ● Created predictable economic and social structure. | |
| Power of the Medieval Church | |
| ● Influenced education, government, law, and daily life. | |
| ● Reached its peak under strong popes like Innocent III. | |
| Effects of Crusades & Reconquista | |
| ● Increased contact between Europe and Middle East. | |
| ● In Spain, expulsion of Jews and Muslims weakened cultural and economic strength. | |
| Universities’ Significance | |
| ● Helped professionalize clergy. | |
| ● Preserved and expanded classical knowledge. | |
| Constitutional Development in England | |
| ● Magna Carta protected noble rights. | |
| ● Foundation of limited government and constitutionalism. |