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What was the dominant form of government that developed in Western Europe during the 6th century?
What was the dominant form of government that developed in Western Europe during the 6th century?
Vassalage
The Roman Empire's collapse in the 5th century marked the beginning of a new era of peace and stability in Europe.
The Roman Empire's collapse in the 5th century marked the beginning of a new era of peace and stability in Europe.
False
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributed to the decline of the Western Roman Empire?
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributed to the decline of the Western Roman Empire?
What was the name of the Carolingian ruler who came closest to uniting the former territories of the Roman Empire?
What was the name of the Carolingian ruler who came closest to uniting the former territories of the Roman Empire?
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Which major civilization was overwhelmed by Islamic armies in 711?
Which major civilization was overwhelmed by Islamic armies in 711?
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What was the name of the first European military expedition outside the European continent for centuries?
What was the name of the first European military expedition outside the European continent for centuries?
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What is the name of the holy city that was the focus of the Crusades?
What is the name of the holy city that was the focus of the Crusades?
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What is the name of the most important pre-Inca culture in coastal northern Peru, known for its mastery of gold working?
What is the name of the most important pre-Inca culture in coastal northern Peru, known for its mastery of gold working?
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Which dynasty reunified China after four centuries of disunity?
Which dynasty reunified China after four centuries of disunity?
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What is the name of the event that marks the traditional beginning of the Islamic Era?
What is the name of the event that marks the traditional beginning of the Islamic Era?
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Which Islamic dynasty was established in Baghdad and took control of most of the Islamic world from the Umayyads?
Which Islamic dynasty was established in Baghdad and took control of most of the Islamic world from the Umayyads?
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Which group of people, known for their horseback archery skills, invaded eastern Europe in the 1240s?
Which group of people, known for their horseback archery skills, invaded eastern Europe in the 1240s?
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What event, which killed more than one-third of Europe's population, is believed to have undermined the roots of feudalism?
What event, which killed more than one-third of Europe's population, is believed to have undermined the roots of feudalism?
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What is the name of the rich cultural movement that emerged in Italy in the 14th century, characterized by a revived interest in classical art and ideas?
What is the name of the rich cultural movement that emerged in Italy in the 14th century, characterized by a revived interest in classical art and ideas?
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What two maritime empires, based in the eastern Mediterranean, were beginning to expand their horizons by 1450?
What two maritime empires, based in the eastern Mediterranean, were beginning to expand their horizons by 1450?
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What was the name given to the first Russian state, founded by Swedish Vikings?
What was the name given to the first Russian state, founded by Swedish Vikings?
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The Vikings were primarily known for their role as peaceful traders and explorers.
The Vikings were primarily known for their role as peaceful traders and explorers.
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What is the name of the archaeological site in Newfoundland that provides evidence of a Viking settlement?
What is the name of the archaeological site in Newfoundland that provides evidence of a Viking settlement?
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Which Viking explorer is believed to have been the first European to reach the Americas?
Which Viking explorer is believed to have been the first European to reach the Americas?
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What geographical region became a Viking stronghold after Vikings invaded it in the 9th century?
What geographical region became a Viking stronghold after Vikings invaded it in the 9th century?
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The Viking invasion of England effectively ended the rule of the Anglo-Saxons.
The Viking invasion of England effectively ended the rule of the Anglo-Saxons.
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What was the name of the Viking warrior-leader who was granted lands in Normandy by the Frankish king Charles the Simple in 911?
What was the name of the Viking warrior-leader who was granted lands in Normandy by the Frankish king Charles the Simple in 911?
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Which group of Vikings - often known as the 'Varangians' - went east during the 8th and 9th centuries, and had a significant impact on the formation of the Russian state?
Which group of Vikings - often known as the 'Varangians' - went east during the 8th and 9th centuries, and had a significant impact on the formation of the Russian state?
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What was the name of the city that was captured by the English during the Hundred Years' War, but was the only city they held when the war ended in 1453?
What was the name of the city that was captured by the English during the Hundred Years' War, but was the only city they held when the war ended in 1453?
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The Hundred Years' War was primarily a war between France and England over who would rule the throne of France.
The Hundred Years' War was primarily a war between France and England over who would rule the throne of France.
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Who was the English king who led the English to several victories in the first phase of the Hundred Years’ War, including a decisive victory at Crécy in 1346?
Who was the English king who led the English to several victories in the first phase of the Hundred Years’ War, including a decisive victory at Crécy in 1346?
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Who was the famous warrior-king, the son of Edward III, who won a major victory against the French at Poitiers in 1356?
Who was the famous warrior-king, the son of Edward III, who won a major victory against the French at Poitiers in 1356?
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Which French monarch is credited with reviving France's resistance to the English, inspiring a shift in the war's tide, and pushing them back from several territories they had occupied?
Which French monarch is credited with reviving France's resistance to the English, inspiring a shift in the war's tide, and pushing them back from several territories they had occupied?
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Who is considered to be a pivotal figure in French history, a peasant girl who inspired the French army to fight against the English. She became known for reclaiming the city of Orleans from the English?
Who is considered to be a pivotal figure in French history, a peasant girl who inspired the French army to fight against the English. She became known for reclaiming the city of Orleans from the English?
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What is the name of the city that was the last major crusader stronghold in Palestine, and eventually fell to the Mamluks in 1291?
What is the name of the city that was the last major crusader stronghold in Palestine, and eventually fell to the Mamluks in 1291?
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What is the name of the Muslim ruler of Egypt who captured Jerusalem in 1187, marking a turning point in the Crusades?
What is the name of the Muslim ruler of Egypt who captured Jerusalem in 1187, marking a turning point in the Crusades?
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Who was the Byzantine Emperor who appealed to Pope Urban II in 1095, asking for help to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims?
Who was the Byzantine Emperor who appealed to Pope Urban II in 1095, asking for help to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims?
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Which city did the Crusaders capture in 1099, successfully gaining control for a short period before being driven out by the Muslim rulers?
Which city did the Crusaders capture in 1099, successfully gaining control for a short period before being driven out by the Muslim rulers?
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What was the name given to the group of knights who fought for the Crusaders, taking vows to defend the Holy Land and became famous for achieving significant victories over the Muslims during the Crusades?
What was the name given to the group of knights who fought for the Crusaders, taking vows to defend the Holy Land and became famous for achieving significant victories over the Muslims during the Crusades?
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Who was the Muslim leader who succeeded in driving out the Crusaders from the last major crusader stronghold in the Holy Land in 1291?
Who was the Muslim leader who succeeded in driving out the Crusaders from the last major crusader stronghold in the Holy Land in 1291?
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What is the name given to the group of invaders who crossed the Rhine River into Gaul in 406, spreading throughout the region?
What is the name given to the group of invaders who crossed the Rhine River into Gaul in 406, spreading throughout the region?
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What Germanic people established a kingdom in southwest France in 418 and eventually came to control much of southwestern France and Spain?
What Germanic people established a kingdom in southwest France in 418 and eventually came to control much of southwestern France and Spain?
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Who was the leader of the Vandals who founded a kingdom in North Africa, and later came to control the Roman province of Africa?
Who was the leader of the Vandals who founded a kingdom in North Africa, and later came to control the Roman province of Africa?
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What was the name of the leader of the Ostrogoths who overthrew Odovacer and established a kingdom in Italy in 493?
What was the name of the leader of the Ostrogoths who overthrew Odovacer and established a kingdom in Italy in 493?
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What was the name of the Byzantine emperor who reclaimed the Roman provinces in North Africa and Italy from the Vandals and Ostrogoths respectively?
What was the name of the Byzantine emperor who reclaimed the Roman provinces in North Africa and Italy from the Vandals and Ostrogoths respectively?
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Study Notes
The Middle Ages (500-1450 CE)
- The Roman Empire's collapse in the 5th century ushered in a millennium where Europe fell into a period of relative economic and political decline, overshadowed by technologically advanced China and a powerful Islamic empire.
- By the 6th century, large empires crumbled due to invasions from neighboring peoples. Western Europe's new states absorbed elements of Roman law and administration, infused with a Christian culture. Vassalage, where nobles held lands from their rulers in exchange for military service, developed into feudalism. Germanic successors to Rome failed to unify former territories.
- Charlemagne's empire (r. 768-814) was the closest attempt to unify the former Roman territories, but it fragmented after his death. Islamic forces conquered Visigothic Spain in 711. The Maya city-states collapsed by 900, while the Aztec and Inca empires emerged in Central and South America, respectively, in later centuries.
- Islamic armies from North Africa spread rapidly, establishing an expansive empire spanning from Spain to central Asia. By the 10th century, the empire broke into competing emirates and caliphates. The Crusades, which aimed to reclaim Jerusalem, were a notable European military expedition into the Islamic world, achieving Christian-controlled states (1096-1291), but ultimately failing to achieve lasting control.
- The Papacy in Europe played a significant political and spiritual role, often clashing with secular rulers, particularly the Holy Roman Emperors.
- The Vikings made frequent raids along the coastlines of northwestern Europe for two centuries (c. 800 CE) .
- During the Middle Ages, Europe witnessed further invasions; the Magyars settled in Hungary (c. 900), and the Mongols invaded eastern Europe in the 1240s. 13th and 14th centuries saw instability due to Mongol expansion and a devastating plague pandemic.
- The Mongol conquests brought the entire Silk Road network under Mongol control, encouraging widespread exchange of goods and cultures.
Byzantine Empire
- Emperor Constantine moved the Roman capital to Byzantium in 330, which later became Constantinople.
- The Eastern Roman Empire survived the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, lasting for another 1,000 years.
- Justinian's reconquests (527-565) marked a temporary revival of Roman rule in parts of the former western empire.
- The construction of the church of Hagia Sophia exemplified Byzantine architecture and influenced later Christian constructions.
- The Byzantine Empire faced rising Islamic power and Slavic invasions, leading to territorial losses and weakening.
- The Fourth Crusade's diversion to Constantinople (1204) seriously damaged the empire.
- Throughout its existence, the Byzantine Empire played a crucial role in preserving Greek texts and fostering intellectual and artistic development. This significantly shaped modern European civilization.
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Description
Explore the transformative period of the Middle Ages, from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the emergence of feudalism and the rise of Islamic empires. This quiz covers the key events, figures, and cultural shifts that defined Europe and beyond during these centuries. Test your knowledge on how these historical changes shaped the future.
