read the info and then answer the questions.

Sometimes mistakenly called the “dark ages” European history from the fall of Rome until the Renaissance that began in Italy is a complex topic. Allow approximately two weeks to complete the reading and assignments for this chapter.

Next, read through these short “lectures” written by Lynn H. Nelson of the University of Kansas (some of them are actually quite funny) and watch the short videos, some of which were created by a social studies teacher. (Sometimes YouTube has great little gems.) The questions following some of the links will be on the worksheet for this unit.

   *Why was Islam able to spread so quickly?

   *Who was Charlemagne revolting against?

   *Why was Charlemagne’s rule so pivotal for Western Europe?

   *What is “primogeniture”?

The Peasants: Advances in Agricultural Technology

   *note the importance of agricultural developments to the advancement of civilization

   *What was the role of Pope Urban III in the crusades?

State of the Nobility

   *How did the rise of strong monarchies and the middle class affect feudal society?

   *What is the origin of the idea of “soul-mates”?

   *What was the greatest change in the feudal aristocracy?

The Paupers

   *What created the class of paupers in medieval society?

The Rise of Capitalism and Decline of the Guilds

   *What was the role of the Guild in medieval society?

The Great Famine and the Black Death

   *Name three factors contributing to the Great Famine

The Avignon Papacy

   *Explain the contention between King Phillip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII

   *Why was the papal court moved from Rome?

The Hundred Years’ War

   *What was the root cause of the war?

   *What prevented France (which had more people and resources) from winning the war?

The Sundering of Society

1) What was the importance/outcome of the Council of Nicaeca?

2) What factors contributed to the ease with which Islam spread?

3) Who was Charlemagne revolting against?

4) Why was Charlemagne’s rule so pivitol for Western Europe?

5) What were some of King Louis’s mistakes?

6) What is “‘primogeniture”?

7) In your own words, explain the system of feudalism in medieval society

8) Explain the importance of agricultural developments in the rise of commerce and growth of towns.

9) What was the role of Pope Urban II in the First Crusade?

10) How did the rise of strong monarchies and the middle class affect feudal society?

11) What is the origin of the idea of “soul-mates”?

12) What was the greatest change in the feudal aristocracy?

13) What created the class of paupers in medieval society?

14) What was the role of the Guilds?

15) What impact did the rise of towns have on medieval society?

16) Name three factors contributing to the Great Famine.

17) What was the main factor contributing to the spread of the Black Death?

18) What were three immediate consequences of the plague?

19) Explain the contention between King Phillip IV of France and Pope Boniface VIII.

20) Why was the papal court moved from Rome?

21) What was the root cause of the Hundred Years’ War?

22) What prevented France (which had more people and resources) from winning the war?

23) How and why did monarchs of the 15th century and beyond hold more power than previous monarchs in Europe?