The Dark Ages & Medieval Times
Lesson 1 - The Impact of the Fall of Rome
IN9.1, IN9.4, DR9.2, DR9.3, PA9.1, RW9.1,
1_how_the_fall_of_rome_affected_people_during_the_dark_ages.docx | |
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After the fall of Rome in 476 AD, Europe went through a period of time known as the Dark Ages. During this time, many things were lost as society returned to a time of war and poverty.
The Roman Empire allowed people to live in an era of prosperity, and when it fell, many people were left without protection and resources. Rome fell for several reasons, and all of these reasons impacted the period after the emperors lost power. During the Dark Ages, people lost many steps on the civilization pyramid, and the gaps that resulted left people struggling just to survive.
The Roman Empire allowed people to live in an era of prosperity, and when it fell, many people were left without protection and resources. Rome fell for several reasons, and all of these reasons impacted the period after the emperors lost power. During the Dark Ages, people lost many steps on the civilization pyramid, and the gaps that resulted left people struggling just to survive.
- Introduction of Christianity - This new religion spread rapidly, and the Church gained much power in Europe. This meant that people invested a lot of time and money in the church, and as a result the Church controlled the people. Churches were important buildings, and the priests and nuns had a lot of responsibility, respect, and power.
- Decline in Morals and Values - As protection decreased, and the number of invaders increased, crime ran rampant. The Church tried to curb this, and succeeded by threatening people with an awful afterlife.
- Public Health - Disease killed many people, and the remaining people were constantly worried about death. This gave the Church even more power, as they were responsible for caring for people, orphans, and the spiritual afterlife of their congregation.
- Political Corruption - When the Roman Empire fell, there was a power vacuum. This was filled by local people who owned land in the area. As those people gained power, they became the local leader, and people would pay them for protection. Payment was often in the form of service, and this system eventually became feudalism.
- Unemployment - The loss of jobs, combined with inflation, meant that people were VERY poor. They couldn't afford many things, and relied on the local leaders for support, guidance, and protection.
- Inflation - As it became more difficult to get goods safely through the empire, these items became more expensive. Combined with unemployment, it meant that people couldn't afford many goods.
- Urban decay - The lack of affordable housing, along with deteriorating infrastructure, meant that travel between cities became increasingly difficult, and cities lacked basic infrastructure for sanitation and water supply.
- Inferior Technology - With little development in technology, more people were required to grow enough food to provide for their communities. Between invaders and several years of severe drought, the struggle to provide enough food for everyone became an issue.
- Military Spending - When the empire collapsed, people were left without protection, and suffered greatly as a result.
- Influx of Foreign Invaders - As the Barbarian Hordes invaded many cities, they left devastation in their wake. They would burn villages and crops, pillage what they could find, loot valuables, take slaves, and salt the fields so that nothing would grow.
The Forces of Change
There are five forces of change: religious, economic, political, social factors, and technology. You will be categorizing each of the above reasons into one of the forces of change.
the_dark_ages_handout.doc | |
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Watch the movie and complete the handout, then answer the following questions:
- How did people’s worldview influence their choices and decisions, and how did those choices cause the fall of the Roman Empire? (IN9.4)
- How did their worldview change because of the fall of the Roman Empire? (IN9.2)
- How do we know what caused the fall of the Roman Empire? (DR9.1)
- Why did the Emperors lose power? (PA9.1)
- Give five ways the Roman Empire has influenced our society today, and explain how it affects us. (DR9.4)
- How did economy and trade change after the fall of the Roman Empire? (RW9.2)
Lesson 2 - Constantine and the Rise of Christianity
IN9.1, IN9.2, DR9.2, PA9.3
constantine_and_the_rise_of_christianity_2017.docx | |
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Lesson 3 - Invasions of the Roman Empire
IN9.2, IN9.3, IN9.4, DR9.2, DR9.3, RW9.1
Lesson 4 - Feudalism
IN9.1, IN9.2, DR9.4, PA9.1, PA9.3
Feudalism is the type of government that developed over the course of the Dark Ages, and became the form of government during the Middle Ages. You will need to be able to label each level for the test, as well as describe the rights and responsibilities of each level of society.
feudalism.pdf | |
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Complete the handout, then answer the following questions:
- Which was the most important group in the hierarchy of feudalism? Defend your answer.
- Why did feudalism develop? What need did it meet?
- How effective was feudalism?
- How did feudalistic leaders come into power?
- Who had rights under the system of feudalism?
- Discuss how the peasants/serfs were treated and decide whether or not they were oppressed.
- How has feudalism influenced our lives today?
Lesson 5 - The Development of Castles
IN9.3, DR9.3, PA9.1
castles.doc | |
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Complete the handout, then answer the following questions:
1. How did the architecture of castles demonstrate the worldview of the people?
2. Describe three features of castles and explain why they were important for defense.
3. How did natural land formations help determine the best place to build castles? How did people use natural land formations for defense?
4. How did the building of castles affect the environment?
5. How were castles used to reinforce the power and authority of the rulers?
1. How did the architecture of castles demonstrate the worldview of the people?
2. Describe three features of castles and explain why they were important for defense.
3. How did natural land formations help determine the best place to build castles? How did people use natural land formations for defense?
4. How did the building of castles affect the environment?
5. How were castles used to reinforce the power and authority of the rulers?
Lesson 6 - Churches During Medieval Times
IN9.1, IN9.2, IN9.3, IN9.4, DR9.4, PA9.1
church.doc | |
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Complete the handout, then answer the following questions:
1. How did the Church meet the needs of the people in the community?
2. How did religion shape people's world view in the Middle Ages?
3. How did people express their worldview through the art and architecture of the Church?
4. How did the Church educate people and influence their worldview?
5. How did the Church influence people's choices and decisions?
6. How does religion influence our society today?
7. Did the Church have power and authority over the people? Explain your answer.
1. How did the Church meet the needs of the people in the community?
2. How did religion shape people's world view in the Middle Ages?
3. How did people express their worldview through the art and architecture of the Church?
4. How did the Church educate people and influence their worldview?
5. How did the Church influence people's choices and decisions?
6. How does religion influence our society today?
7. Did the Church have power and authority over the people? Explain your answer.
Lesson 7 - Religions of the Middle Ages
IN9.2, IN9.4
religions_of_the_medieval_era.doc | |
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Lesson 8 - The Crusades
IN9.2, IN9.4, DR9.2, DR9.3, DR9.4, PA9.1RW9.1, RW9.2
the_crusades-1.docx | |
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crusades.pdf | |
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Your assignment today is to answer three questions:
1. What were the Crusades, and why did they occur? What was the goal?
2. Were the Crusades successful?
3. What effect did the Crusades have on the development of Europe?
1. What were the Crusades, and why did they occur? What was the goal?
2. Were the Crusades successful?
3. What effect did the Crusades have on the development of Europe?
Lesson 9 - The Black Death
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Medieval Project
medieval_studies_assignment.doc | |
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