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Questions and Answers
What was a significant consequence of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD?
What was the primary source of wealth and power in the feudal system of Medieval Europe?
What was the name of the emperor who sought to restore the Roman Empire's glory in the Byzantine Empire?
What was the estimated percentage of Europe's population killed by the Black Death?
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What was the main cause of the Great Famine of 1315-1317?
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Who was the leader who rose to prominence during the Hundred Years' War?
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What was the name of the famous battle fought in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War?
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What was the name of the famous code of law developed during the Byzantine Empire?
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Who was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 AD?
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What was a key feature of the Republic of Venice?
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What was the main driver of the fur trade?
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What was the primary focus of the East India Company?
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What was a significant achievement of the Renaissance?
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What was a major challenge faced by sailors in the 15th and 16th centuries?
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Who led the first voyage to the New World in 1492?
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What was the primary focus of the Hudson Bay Company?
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Study Notes
Collapse of the Roman Empire
- Political instability, economic troubles, overreliance on slave labor, military overspending, and civil wars weakened the Roman Empire.
- Invasions by Barbarian tribes (Visigoths, Vandals, Huns) significantly pressured the empire.
- The fall of Rome in 476 AD marks the end of the Western Roman Empire.
Vikings
- Norse seafarers from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) originated the Vikings.
- They raided, traded, and established settlements across Europe (e.g., Normandy in France, the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland).
- The Vikings influenced European trade, warfare, and culture, leading to the formation of new states and integration into European societies.
Medieval Europe
- The feudal system structured society with lords, vassals, and serfs, with land as the primary source of wealth and power.
- The Catholic Church played a central role in daily life, politics, and education.
- Economic developments included the growth of towns, trade, and the rise of a merchant class.
Byzantines
- Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) was the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
- Emperor Justinian I (527-565 AD) sought to restore the Roman Empire's glory.
- The Byzantines preserved Greek and Roman culture, making significant advancements in art, architecture (e.g., Hagia Sophia), and law (Justinian Code).
The Great Famine and Black Death
- The Great Famine (1315-1317) was a period of severe food shortage due to climate changes and poor harvests, leading to mass starvation.
- The Black Death (1347-1351) was a bubonic plague that killed an estimated one-third of Europe's population, spread via fleas on rats and causing social, economic, and religious upheavals.
The Hundred Years' War
- The war (1337-1453) was fought between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France.
- Territorial disputes and claims to the French throne were the main causes of the war.
- Notable events include the Battle of Agincourt (1415) and the rise of Joan of Arc.
- The outcome was the strengthening of national identities and changes in medieval warfare.
Charlemagne
- Charlemagne (742-814) was the King of the Franks and Lombards, and Emperor of the Carolingian Empire.
- He unified much of Western Europe, was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 AD, and promoted learning and literacy (Carolingian Renaissance).
The Republic of Venice
- The government was an oligarchic republic with a Doge (chief magistrate).
- The economy thrived on maritime trade, particularly in the Mediterranean and with the Byzantine Empire.
- The Republic made cultural contributions in art, architecture, and music.
The Fur and Spice Trade
- The fur trade was primarily in North America and Siberia, driven by European demand for beaver pelts and other furs.
- The spice trade involved spices from Asia (India, Indonesia) highly valued in Europe for preservation and flavoring of food.
East India and Hudson Bay Companies
- The East India Company (1600) was an English company established for trade with the East Indies, later dominating India.
- The Hudson Bay Company (1670) was an English company that controlled the fur trade in North America, establishing trading posts and settlements.
Developments of the Renaissance
- The Renaissance occurred from the 14th to 17th centuries.
- Key features included the revival of classical learning, humanism, significant achievements in art (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo), science (Galileo), and literature (Shakespeare).
Life as a Sailor in the 15th and 16th Centuries
- Conditions were harsh and dangerous, with long voyages, cramped living quarters, poor nutrition, and risk of diseases like scurvy.
- Roles included navigators, carpenters, cooks, and common sailors.
- Rewards included potential for wealth and adventure, although many faced exploitation and strict discipline.
Explorers
- Christopher Columbus made a 1492 voyage to the New World, opening up the Americas to European exploration.
- Vasco da Gama was the first to navigate a route from Europe to India in 1498.
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Description
Explore the internal and external factors that led to the collapse of the Roman Empire and the origins and activities of the Vikings.
