Welcome to the Middle Ages! (14 days)
What in the world are the Middle Ages?!
The Middle Ages in Europe lasted from about 400 to 1500. This period can be divided into three stages: the Early Middle Ages (400–1000), the High Middle Ages (1000–1300), and the Late Middle Ages (1300–1500).
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe went through a period of tribal warfare, as small groups held in check by the Roman army and Roman provincial governors battled for control of the continent. The power vacuum was eventually filled by regional kingdoms made up of large individual land holdings called fiefs. As these small kingdoms stabilized and often consolidated into sizable countries, a new political system known as feudalism developed in the fiefdoms of large landowners. During the High Middle Ages, the economy of Europe grew stronger. Trade routes developed and towns sprang up along these routes. These towns were populated by peasants who, because of the improved economic conditions, were able to save money to buy their freedom and leave their lord’s manor. This caused the feudal system to weaken, lessening the power of the feudal lords and making the monarchy more powerful. As trade grew, the kings were able to tax the people and the lords and gain more revenue to create their own armies. This meant that the kings were no longer completely reliant on loyal lords providing their own armies to fight for him; kings were no longer at the mercy of their lords. They gained control over their lords, seized land from some of them, and formed strong kingdoms. In the Late Middle Ages, kingdoms increased in size and power and eventually formed nation-states, including England, France, Spain, and Russia.
The Middle Ages in Europe lasted from about 400 to 1500. This period can be divided into three stages: the Early Middle Ages (400–1000), the High Middle Ages (1000–1300), and the Late Middle Ages (1300–1500).
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe went through a period of tribal warfare, as small groups held in check by the Roman army and Roman provincial governors battled for control of the continent. The power vacuum was eventually filled by regional kingdoms made up of large individual land holdings called fiefs. As these small kingdoms stabilized and often consolidated into sizable countries, a new political system known as feudalism developed in the fiefdoms of large landowners. During the High Middle Ages, the economy of Europe grew stronger. Trade routes developed and towns sprang up along these routes. These towns were populated by peasants who, because of the improved economic conditions, were able to save money to buy their freedom and leave their lord’s manor. This caused the feudal system to weaken, lessening the power of the feudal lords and making the monarchy more powerful. As trade grew, the kings were able to tax the people and the lords and gain more revenue to create their own armies. This meant that the kings were no longer completely reliant on loyal lords providing their own armies to fight for him; kings were no longer at the mercy of their lords. They gained control over their lords, seized land from some of them, and formed strong kingdoms. In the Late Middle Ages, kingdoms increased in size and power and eventually formed nation-states, including England, France, Spain, and Russia.
Day 1 (Monday 3/16) - Geography & Vocabulary
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Day 2 (Tuesday 3/17) - Historical Timeline
Day 3 (Wednesday 3/18 ) - Feudal System
Day 4 (Thursday 3/19) - Feudal System Experiment!
Day 5 (Friday 3/20) - Knights
Day 6 (Monday 3/23) - Historical Perspective
Day 7 (Tuesday 3/24) - Religion
Day 8 (Wednesday 3/25) - The Crusades
Day 9 (Thursday 3/26) - The Black Plague
Day 10 (Friday 3/27) - Art, Literature, & Music
Day 11 (Monday 4/13) - Daily Life in the Middle Ages
Day 12 (Wednesday 4/15) - Government & Magna Carta
Day 13 (Thursday 4/16) - Unit Review & Kahoot Competition
Day 14 (Friday 4/17) - Unit Assessment