A.D. 500 - 1500MIDDLE AGES

RISE OF FEUDALISM No strong central government after the death of Charlemagne Lack of strong rulers in Europe leads to emergence of Feudal system Europe faced numerous invaders: Vikings, Magyars, Muslims The worst attacks were between 800-

1000

RISE OF FEUDALISMPeople turn to local leaders for protection Feudalism involved agreements, promises, and exchanges It involved Political, Social, and Economic relationships that made

sure the needs of each class were met

POLITICALFeudalism was a system of local government

based on the control of landPowerful nobles or lords owned large sections of land They divided their land into areas

called fiefs Fiefs were given to lesser lords called

vassals Vassals pledged their loyalty and

military support to the lords in return for the land

POLITICALLords became more powerful than kings because of their landholdingsThey ruled their own lands, made their own laws, and controlled their own armies made up of knightsKnights were the defenders of the lords’ land in exchange for fiefs

SOCIALClass was determined at birth; almost not social mobilityIt was based on a pyramidMost people were peasants & most peasants were serfsSerfs could not leave the land, but they were not slavesThey worked the land and in exchange received housing, farmland, and protection