1. The Dark Ages It’s always darkest before the dawn.

2. Middle Ages: Barbarians attack Europe, war all over, rulers unify under Roman Catholicism, feudalism starts. Setting a chain of events that will forever change the course of history.

3. FEUDALISM IS LOYALTY & LAND. King G Lords G Knights G serfs Feud- a designated piece of land

4. EMPIRES BEGAN CRUSADE VS. ISLAM

5. A PLAGUE SWEPT ACROSS EUROPE

6. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CTRL ALL.

7. In 496 A.D. The Western Roman Empire Falls. The Eastern Roman Empire or “Byzantine Empire” still flourishes. I. Road to the Middle Ages

8. C. Clovis spreads Catholicism/Christianity. D. People in the West look to the Catholic Church for safety and guidance.

9. E. Elsewhere 1) Coastal North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, even Spain are under Muslim Control. 2) Learning Flourishes in Muslim controlled Areas, Christianity feels threatened. This can’t be good. If Islam takes over what will I do?

10. Charlemagne becomes “Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire”, thanks to Pope Leo III. Things are Looking Up: New Laws Education Rises Grants land to Counts (nobles) Feudalism … II. A Light then, stability at the cost of liberty.

11. Feudalism Good Because it brought order and relative peace. Bad because it kept everyone who was not a noble poor, and caused fighting among nobles.

12. Filled the Power void in Western Roman Empire. Led by the Pope who was seen as successor to Roman Emperors. Controlled: Writing Science Thought/Philosophy People did whatever the Church said because they wanted salvation, and feared excommunication. III. “the Church” Roman Catholicism

13. Holy Roman Empire (HRE) European Kingdoms who were trying to keep together the W. Roman Empire. Kings were crowned by the Pope.

14. Wanted to keep Islam away from Europe, so that Christianity could rule the world. Religious Empire.

15. Hierarchy:

16. Religious Orders Definition: a group of people who dedicate their lives to religion and follow common rules. Wanted followers to: Live without property Serve as teachers, healers, and friends to all living things.

17. Helping Education Established Schools at Cathedrals Students were Sons of Nobility. Schools became Universities as cities grew. Taught students in Latin, worked to preserve Latin Language and Religious Text.

18. The Crusades… Coming Soon