during middle ages

1. Aim: How was Europe organized
during the Middle Ages?
Do Now: While China, India, The Byzantines, and the Islamic Empires were
experiencing a golden age, what was going on in Western Europe? For
review, briefly describe what happened to western Europe at the end of the
Roman Empire. What do you think a dark age is?

2. The Middle Ages Defined
• After the fall of Rome, Western Europe
entered a period known as the Middle Ages,
also known as The Medieval Period, which
lasted from 400 – 1400 A.D.
500 B.C – 476 A.D
The Roman Empire
The Middle Ages or
Medieval Period
400-1400
The Renaissance (Rebirth)
Begins around 1400

3. • In general, the Middle Ages are defined by a
lack of central government, decline of trade,
population shift to rural areas, decrease in
learning, and a rise in the power of The
Roman Catholic Church.
The Middle Ages Defined

4. The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
The Problem: You are one of many kings ruling various kingdoms in Western
Europe during the Middle Ages. You are also the proud owner of large
landholdings in your area. However, you are struggling to control the nobles in
your kingdom who are fighting each other to expand their landholdings and
increase their power (in turn, threatening yours). In addition, you are
concerned about increasing barbarian attacks from the east. What can you do
to create structure in your kingdom and ensure order?
Your Solution:

5. The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
Grant Fief (land)Oath of loyalty/military support
Shelter/foodLoyalty/military
Shelter/food
And protection
Labor, rent

6. Feudalism

7. The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
• Causes of Feudalism: After the fall of Rome, Western
Europe was a scary place! With no strong, central
government to raise a large army, there was no protection
from invaders. The Feudal system emerged as a means to
create social/political order and stability in society as well
as to provide a system of protection
•The Role of Serfs: They were bound to the land. In other
words, slaves.
•No social mobility! Your place in this feudal pyramid was
determined by birth!

8. Medieval Social Structure

9. • Sometimes the
manor system is
referred to as
manorialism.
• The manor was
completely self
sufficient meaning
that everything that
was needed was on
the manor.
• Very little reason to
leave or travel
beyond your manor.
The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System

10. Serfs

11. Knights

12. • The self sufficient manor contributed to the
decline of learning. No new ideas were
exchanged. Technology was slow to progress.
• Little use of money. Wealth based on land.
The Manor System – The Medieval
Economic System

13. Social Political Religious
•Strict social
hierarchy based
on the feudal
pyramid.
•Social Status
determined by
birth
•Lack of social
Mobility
•Code of Chivalry
•Feudalism –
Kings and nobles
exchange land for
loyalty and
protection.
•Decentralized
government
•People followed
religious Canon
Law – Led by
Pope
•Rise in the
power of the
Pope and Roman
Catholic Church
•Pope had power
of
excommunication

14. Intellectual Technological Economic
•Decline in
learning as
population shifts
to rural areas
•Technology slow
to progress as
exchange of ideas
declines.
•Manorialism
•Manor system –
completely self-
sufficient in that it
had everything
that was needed
•Little use of
money
•Little to no trade
•Pay 10% tithe to
church
•Most technology used
for military or farming –
Crossbow, armor,
longbow, siege weapons,
early guns, heavy plough,
water and wind mills,
mechanical clocks,
stirrups, hourglass, glass,
printing press
•Most people
were illiterate
•Priests and
monks could read
and write – wrote
books, mostly
religious

15. Medieval Castles