Medieval Europe

“The Middle Ages”

Why was this period
referred to as
“The Middle Ages”?
It was the period between
two very important times…
the Fall of the Roman Empire
and the Renaissance.

In the middle – The Middle Ages

Many people thought that nothing important

happened during this period. They were wrong!
How did the geography of Europe
shape different ways of life?
 It influenced what crops
people have grown and
where cities developed.

Mediterranean farmers grew hardy Cities grew along rivers such

crops such as olives in the dry, as the Rhine, so people and
warm areas of southern Europe. goods could be moved easily.

Many people settled along the coasts, using

the sea for the resources they needed.
Northern Europe

Many people settled in towns along the rivers. In the open fields around
the cities, a variety of crops were grown on the fertile soils. The flat
land made farming and transportation easier, but it also had a major
drawback. What happened because there were no mountains?
 INVASIONS!

There were no mountains in northern Europe for protection against invaders. The
most frightening invaders of all were the Vikings from Scandinavia. The Vikings
could sail their ships up rivers, so the raids weren’t limited to the coastal areas.
The attacks were swift and savage, and Europeans lived in terror of Viking raids.
Why did Feudalism
begin?
For protection against
invasions.
• Frankish kings were unable to
defend their empire.
• Nobles had to defend their own lands
because they couldn’t depend on
protection from the kings.
• To defend their lands, nobles hired
knights, warriors who fought on
horseback.
What was a knight who
promised to support a lord in
exchange for land called?
A vassal. This was the
heart of feudalism.

Land for
service.
How did the medieval arts of Europe
and Japan differ?
 They differed in theme.

Japanese art
European art had a
emphasized nature.
religious theme.
 Popes and kings – a power
struggle.

What did Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV argue about?
 They fought over the power to
appoint bishops.

Pope Gregory VII believed Emperor Henry IV argued that

popes – not kings – got their kings should choose bishops
power from God. because God had chosen the
king.
What was the goal of the Christian
Crusades?
 To retake the Holy Land from
Muslim Turks.

Pope Urban called on Christians from all over Europe to retake the Holy Land.
Many fought because they thought they would earn a place in heaven.
How did the Crusades change Europe?
 Trade between Europe and Asia increased.
 Kings became more powerful.
 Tension between Christians, Jews, and
Muslims grew.