Unit 6: The Early Middle Ages Reading Review

The Middle Ages was a period of time in Europe after

the fall of The Western Roman Empire in 476 AD until the

slow re-emergence of centralized governments and an

appreciation for philosophy, culture, and art in around 1500

A.D.

The Western Roman Empire was a massive empire

with a central capital in the city of Rome in modern day Italy. The Roman government

provided consistent laws throughout its large empire. If you were living in the Roman Empire

you could travel relatively safely on Roman roads under the protection of Roman soldiers that

enforced Roman laws. This allowed for trading and the exchange of ideas throughout the

empire (Cultural diffusion).

Roman culture included an appreciation for reading, writing, philosophy, and other

academic and intellectual activities. Many people within the empire that had the money, time,

and resources would travel to Rome either to trade or take part in the many religious and

cultural festivals that were thrown there.

However, The Western Roman Empire slowly decayed because of government

corruption, constant warfare, and a poor economy just to name a few reasons. Eventually the

once massive and powerful empire fell to Germanic invaders in 476 A.D. This brought about

the period that historians now call ‘The Middle Ages.’ When the empire fell, there was no

longer a consistent set of laws throughout Western Europe and the areas surrounding The

Mediterranean sea. Instead of one centralized

government with one single emperor, there was

political chaos. This means that many local kings and

soldiers fought for power over small pieces of land

and territory.

Feudalism is a term that is used to describe the small broken up kingdoms of

Western Europe after the fall of The Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. The Roman Empire

had one single government with a single emperor. After Rome fell, many people fought over

control of small and local pieces of land. Unlike during the days when The Roman Empire

held power, it was no longer possible for people to travel long distances under the protection

of one single government. Instead, most people stayed close to where they were in the fear

that they would be attacked, robbed, or killed if they left the relative safety of their homes.

Without the consistent protection of Roman law and Roman soldiers, most people were

desperate to feel safe in a politically chaotic world. It is because of this that the social and

economic system of Feudalism developed! Peasant farmers needed protection, and could

offer their labor (work) in exchange for that protection. Local kings and lords had land to

spare, and could pay for soldiers to fight for them in exchange for land. This lead to the

following social and economic stratification (layers)...

The development of Feudalism in Europe meant that trade slowed down to a trickle, the

exchange of ideas and goods nearly stopped, and culture became stagnant and relatively

unchanging. There was no political consistency, with small-scale kings and lords constantly

squabbling and fighting for little pieces of power and land!

Stagnant Pond = Social Stratification of Medieval Europe

Born a peasant -- Die a Peasant!

Critical Thinking Questions -- Workout Your

Mind!!!

1)Check for Understanding: How was the political (government) structure of The

Western Roman Empire different than The Middle Ages?

2)Check for Understanding: How was culture in Medieval Europe ‘Stagnant’

3) What does Feudalism mean in your own words?

4) Why did peasants agree to work for lords and kings?