This study guide provides answers to questions about several chapters covering topics in history from the fall of Rome to the rise of Islam. Key events and figures mentioned include the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, the establishment of feudalism in Europe, the power of the Catholic Church, the rise of merchant class in medieval towns, and the origins and spread of Islam following the teachings of Muhammad.
6. 3. Three Facts about Charlemagne
• 1. Crowned Holy Roman Emperor
• 2. Ruled the Franks from 768 to 814 c.e.
• 3. United the Christian lands of Europe.
7. 4. What is the main job of a vassal?
• Protection to a lord and promises to be
loyal to that lord. Gave the lord money
and food as well as knights in times of
need.
8. 5. Know the dates of the following:
• Fall of Rome: 476 c.e.
• Clovis rules the Franks: 481 c.e.
• Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor: 800 c.e.
• Feudalism established in England: 1066 c.e.
9. 6. Why did the Roman Empire Fall?
• Political instability (no central
government), economic problems
(money issues) and weak frontiers
(barbarians attacked).
11. 7. Three Facts about Catholic Church
• 1. Largest land holder in Europe. Owned
valuable property & land.
• 2. Everything evolved (centered) around the
church.
• 3. Church Officials were leaders in the
government.
• 4. 1/10 (tithe) of someone’s earnings went to
the church.
13. 9. Why was the Catholic Church so
powerful?
• Has the power to excommunicate (kick
out someone from church), to abolish
(get rid of) selling of official positions
and prohibiting (not allowing) bishops
electing kings to powerful positions
within the church.
14. 10. Why would a church official need
to be educated?
• To read from the Bible. To teach others
about religion and to help with
governmental duties.
16. 11. Why were many medieval towns
built by rivers & trade routes?
• By River: for protection and trade
• By Trade Routes: to help their towns
prosper through traveling merchants.
17. 12. What group of people continued to
thrive not only in politics, but also
economics?
• Merchants
18. 13. What does “Specialization” mean
in the world of trade?
• It allows a craftsperson of a certain area
to concentrate in one thing so they are
known for that craft.
20. 14. What was the key event for
commoners to have a voice in
England?
• King Edward’s I model parliament.
21. 15. What document gave power to the
nobles that a king could not take
away?
• Habeas corpus
• Magna Carta
22. 16. Why did commoners have a voice
in many areas after the black plague?
• The plague caused many workers to
demand for more money and power
since too many people had died. These
people were also able to acquire land
that was left abandoned after its owner
died.
23. 17. During the Hundred Years’ War,
which group lost the most power and
which group gained the most power?
• Lost: Lords
• Gained: Commoners & Monarchs
25. 18. What was the capital of the
Byzantine Empire?
• Constantinople
26. 19. What is Justinian’s Code?
• He took many laws from the Romans
and changed them to fit his Empire in
the Western world.
• Systematic Body of Law
27. 20. What is the significance of the
dome in many of the churches in the
Byzantine Empire?
• The dome represents heaven.
28. 21. Give three examples of the
Constantinople’s geography.
• 1. It is surrounded on three sides of water.
• 2. It was located at the crossroads of Europe
and Asia.
• 3. It had a harbor that could easily be blocked
against enemy ships.
29. 22. Who was responsible for
rebuilding Constantinople after a riot
that was meant for its emperor?
• Justinian
33. 25. List three ways that the geography
of the Arabian peninsula influenced the
lives of the Arabs.
• 1. Nomadic lifestyle
• 2. Camels
• 3. Clothing
34. 26. What is adaptation?
• A change in a way of life that allows people
to survive in a particular environment.
36. 27. Although Arabs living on the
Arabian peninsula were not united as a
nation, they were in what two ways?
• 1. Cultural
• 2. Language
37. 28. Who are the “people of the book”
according to Muslims and why?
• Jews and Christians because they also
believed in one God.
38. 29. Muhammad taught that the rich
should share their wealth with the
poor, why did this upset leaders in
Mecca?
• Leaders in Mecca were controlling the wealth
and didn’t want to give any to the poor.
39. 30. What does the word “Muslim”
mean?
• Muslim means one who surrenders to God.
40. 31. Explain who the Sunni & the Shi’a
Muslims felt should be the next
“leader” of the Islamic religion.
• Sunnis believe that the best “man” for the job
should be the next leader. A Council should
pick the leader.
• Shi’a believe that only descendants (relatives)
of Muhammad should be the next leader.
42. 32. Natural Law
• The concept that there is a universal order
built into nature that can guide moral
thinking.
43. 33. serf
• A peasant bound to the land and subject to
the will of its owner
44. 34. Vassal
• A person under the protection of a feudal lord
to whom he has vowed homage and fealty
45. 35. crusader
• A person who fought during the crusades to
win back the Holy Land from the Muslims.
• A crusader would wear a tunic (covering)
which a red cross on it.
46. 36. pilgrim
• A person that goes on a sacred journey
for penance (forgiveness), to cure the sick
or to worship at different holy sites.
47. 37. monk
• A man who has taken a solemn vow to devote
his life to prayer and service in a monastery.
48. 38. feudalism
• The economic and political system that
developed in Europe during the Middle Ages.
49. 39. Magna Carta
• A written agreement from 1215 that limited
the English king’s power and strengthened
the rights of nobles.
50. 40. guild
• An organization of people who work in the
same craft or trade.
51. 41. charter
• A written grant of rights and privileges by a
ruler or government to a community, class of
people, or organization.
52. 42. hierarchy
• A system of organizing people into ranks,
with those of higher rank having more power
and privileges.
72. 62. political
• Of or relating to government, a government,
or the conduct of government
73. 63. social
• Of or relating to human society, the
interaction of the individual and the group, or
the welfare of human beings as members of
society
74. 64. peninsula
• A portion of land nearly surrounded by water
and connected with a larger body by an
isthmus; also : a piece of land jutting out into
the water whether with or without a well-
defined isthmus
75. 65. nomad
• A person who moves from place to place,
often in search of water and vegetation.
