Time after Roman Empire fell

They were cut off of more advanced civilizations

Invaders came in, trade stopped and people left

This time is also called the “Middle Ages”

Came in and conquered parts of Europe after Roman Empire collapsed.

Goths, Vandals, Saxons and Franks

Grandson of the king of the Franks

Briefly united Europe (where Italy, Germany and France are today)

He used Christianity and education to unify new nation

“Father of Europe”

Ended unified nation that Charlemagne built by taking over land

Based on social class and protection of land

Lesser lords, called vassals, pledged service and loyalty to the powerful lord

Feudal system was put in place for protection from invaders

Lord’s estate with churches and smaller villages

Serfs (peasants)- had to live and work on the land

Serfs produced everything from food to clothes

Western Europe was now all Christian.

Rituals and faith dominated daily life.

Sacraments- sacred rites of church that would lead those to Heaven.

Christian holidays

Churches were the largest social gathering building

Papal Supremacy Pope was supreme authority over everyone

Cannon Law Laws created by the Church to govern anything from

marriage to wills

Anyone who disobeyed Cannon Law was excommunicated…kicked out of Church

Improvement in technology will rise in Europe

New machinery to do more & faster

More production of food!

More food=more population

More trade routes

More population=more people trading More trading=more towns/cities

As trade routes grew, the use of $$$ grew

This created businesses

As more people started to make money…the rise of the Middle Class emerges.

Cities surrounded by high, protective walls

Overcrowding as population grew

No garbage removal existed…people threw their waste out their windows into the streets

Disease and death was common

•Global epidemic

•1 in 3 died

•Rats became infected, which carried fleas, which bit humans…rapid infection occurred.

•Unsanitary conditions

People believed black death was God’s punishment for sins

Most people blamed the Jews (thought they poisoned the drinking wells)

Thousands of Jews were slaughtered.

People’s faith in God/Church declined

Castles and feudalism declined with loss of population

Kings now needed ARMIES to protect land and not knights…need bigger, powerful force

Trading/exploring will begin to increase around the word as manufacturing grows