The Fall of the Roman Empire and Feudalism

The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire declined after the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD.

In the 5th century, Germanic invaders overran the western half of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire was divided into two parts: the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire

Germanic-speaking people mixed with the Roman population resulting in the emergence of new languages like French and Spanish.

Feudalism

Feudalism is a political and economic system based on land ownership and personal loyalty.

Feudalism helped create order in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.

• Feudalism arose in Western Europe as a direct outcome of political disorder and continuous warfare.

There were three main characteristics:

Political: The King commanded absolute power based on God's will. The Catholic Church held considerable power in government affairs.

Economic: People had specific jobs that they had to do for their entire lives.

Social: The feudal pyramid was a social structure of a hierarchical nature. Some individuals were more important than others.

Manors

The manor system was the primary economic structure during the Middle Ages.

The manor was the name given to the lord's estate.

Under the manor system, a lord and his serfs had sets of rights and responsibilities.

Serfs owed the lord specific duties, including working at least a couple of days and giving their lords a portion of their grain.

The Role of Warrior in Feudal Society

By the 11th century, Western Europe had become a battleground of feuding nobility seeking dominance.

Feudal lords raised private armies of knights or Cavalry to defend their lands.

The code of chivalry required a knight to battle bravely in defense of his master.

Significance of Feudalism

Feudalism protected the society of Western Europe from the violence and warfare that erupted after the fall of Rome, as well as from powerful invaders.

Feudalism facilitated the restoration of trade. Roads and bridges were repaired. The knights maintained the rule of law and made it safe to travel on roads.

Feudalism prohibited a single person organization from gaining power. The power was distributed among many individuals and groups.

Limitations of Feudalism

Feudalism provided local unity and security but was unable to unite larger regions or countries in Europe.

In the absence of a strong central government, it was easy to subjugate the poor through force and violence in the feudal system.

Feudalism did not treat people equally or allow them to progress in their own society.

The Beginning of the Roman Catholic Church

The history of the Catholic Church begins with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Christian Church in Roman cities developed and organized into a hierarchy.

The Rome's priest became the most important bishop or Pope as the Church's religious and political leader.

The most wealthy and powerful members of society created cathedrals, churches, sculpture, painting, textiles, manuscripts, jewelry, and ritual items.

The Rise of Mongol Empire

The Mongols were a nomadic warring people from Central Asia.

The Mongol era is best known for its overwhelming military power.

Genghis Khan had conquered much of Central Asia by 1127 AD.

The Mongols divided the regions into four groups known as khanates in 1260.

The Mongols ruled the world's largest unified empire until 1294.

Impacts of Mongols Invasions on Europe

The Mongols allowed people to retain their local institutions and cultures.

The Catholic Christian church of Western Europe maintained control of their territory.

The Mongol network facilitated travel and communication between Asia and Europe.

The Black Death or Plague began in China and quickly spread to the Middle East and Europe. The plague killed one-quarter to one-third of the population of Western Europe and the Middle East.