SOCIAL STUDIES POST CLASSICAL EUROPE

⚔ KEY TERMS & CONTEXT

• Decentralized: No strong central government after Rome’s fall → led to local lords having power.

• Vikings: Raided Europe (700s–1000s), especially monasteries. Caused instability → Feudalism developed in response.

• Charlemagne: Tried to re-centralize Europe; crowned “Holy Roman Emperor” by the Pope in 800 CE. Brief revival of learning.

• Feudalism: Land for loyalty. Lords give land (fiefs), vassals fight, serfs work. Political system of protection.

• Manorialism: Economic side of feudalism. Self-sufficient manors; no trade. Serfs tied to land.

• Code of Chivalry: Knightly honor code; emphasized loyalty, courage, Christian duty.

🛡 Events & Transformations

• Crusades (1095–1291): Holy wars called by Pope Urban II to reclaim Jerusalem from Seljuk Turks.

• Effects: Trade ↑, learning ↑, Church ↓, Kings ↑, Muslims & Christians = Distrust.

• Black Death (1347–1351): Killed 1/3 of Europe; weakened feudalism; serfs left manors.

• Dark Ages: Early medieval period (500–1000). Decline in trade, learning, urban life.

• 100 Years War (1337–1453): France vs. England. National identity grows. Joan of Arc leads French.

• Nation-States: Feudal fragmentation → centralized monarchies rise (France, England, Spain).

• Agricultural Revolution: 3-field system, iron plow, horsepower → food surplus → population ↑.

• Commercial Revolution: Trade & towns grow, use of money ↑, guilds (early unions).

• Magna Carta (1215): Limited king’s power. Foundation of constitutional government.

• Great Schism (1378–1417): Two popes → split in Church → authority of the Church declines.

❓ SHORT ANSWERS TO KEY QUESTIONS

1. Viking Impact?

→ Raids caused instability → Feudalism as protection system.

2. Compare Mongols & Vikings?

→ Both: Nomadic, brutal, attacked quickly.

→ Mongols: Horseback, massive empire. Vikings: Sea-based, local raids.

3. Catholic Church’s Role?

→ Central institution. Provided education, unity, law, helped kings. Later lost power after Crusades, Plague, Schism.

4. “Dark Ages”?

→ Yes: Decline in trade, cities, literacy.

→ No: Monasteries preserved learning; groundwork for later growth.

5. Why Feudalism/Manorialism?

→ Needed order after Rome fell. No central government = local solutions (land for protection).

6. Fair System?

→ Stable but rigid. Serfs had few rights; nobles held power. Some say it was necessary for survival.

7. Feudalism: Europe vs. Japan?

→ Similar hierarchy (lords, warriors, code: chivalry/Bushido).

→ Different religions/cultures.

8. Crusades & Plague impact on Feudalism?

→ Crusades: Serfs left → exposure to the outside world.

→ Plague: Labor shortage → serfs gained bargaining power.

9. Why did Feudalism decline?

→ Crusades, Black Death, rise of towns, money economy, strong kings, new farming tech.