History unit 6 Flashcards
- Analyze what caused Medieval Europe to Develop Feudalism. (5pts)
The downfall of Rome gave an open invitation for invasions to nearby nations. Invaders caused abandoned cities, disruption of trade, and loss of a common language, which all led to Feudalism. During the downfall of Rome, both land and sea trade networks got disrupted from germanic tribes and other invaders. The population began to disband, moving out to rural areas, abandoning cities which ended up being left without strong leadership. The unstable government had no ways of recruiting troops and had to hire mercenaries. Manors began to form, giving people protection, shelter, and food in return for their labor. People who lived on manors lived the lifestyle of a peasant unless you were a knight, nobleman, or priest.
- List and explain each level of the Medieval European Feudal Social Class system.
King Church official Noble/Lords knights Peasants and Serfs
- Explain viking culture and achievements
Vikings, also known as Nordic people had a simple and independent lifestyle, with the hunger of exploration and expansion. Vikings were tall muscular people that had a neat appearance and frequent grooming along with hygiene. They were governed by a consensus and group debates. Men and women had close to very equal rights. Most of them lived on small farms or hamlets. Whole families usually lived in a longhouse which contained areas for all aspects of everyday life.They lived independent lifestyles, growing their own crops, raising their own domesticated animals which were primarily cattle and sheep, and were expected to protect their own property and family. They had high individualized combat skills using swords, axes and spears. They used the fighting strategy the phalanx, the one that the Spartans used. Their biggest achievement would have to be their conquering of most of Europe. They sailed across Europe in their “long ships” invading trade networks, countries and cities with the hit and run technique, looting goods, money, and food. Their other outstanding accomplishment would be their discovery of Greenland and Iceland.
- Explain the elements of siege warfare and medieval castles.
Siege warfare was warfare imposed by invaders trying to capture or destroy a medieval castle and its manor. Invaders used specifically designed weapons such as Siege towers, battering rams, the trebuchet, mangonel, matlet, and tortoise. These weapons were primarily used to breach castle walls. The Siege tower is a mobile protected staircase that transported soldiers over castle walls and past archers. The trebuchet and mangonels were giant slingshots that launched objects as far away as 1,300 feet, hoping to damage castle walls. Castles were designed to handle warfare. They were constructed of stone that was designed to deflect projectiles. Walls were built higher and thicker to withstand more powerful siege weapons. Doors were reinforced with metal to help resist battering rams. had gaps at the top of castle walls to leave an opening for archers.
- Discuss the engineering achievements and elements of Gothic Cathedrals
Gothic Cathedrals were an amazing architecture model of their time, with every details being made with only hand tools. Gothic Cathedrals took between 50-150 years to construct being made with only hand tools. Developers during this time period discovered engineering structural techniques such as ribbed vaults, the flying buttress, pointed arches, and tall spires. Ribbed vaults supported the roof’s weight , the flying buttress transferred weight to the thick exterior walls, pointed arches framed huge stained glass windows, balanced stress levels, and created vast areas of space. Thick walls supported the building and helped prevent it from falling. They contained stained glass windows which depicted bible stories and saints for illiterate peasants to experience the holiness of religion.
- Evaluate the crusades.
The crusades was an opportunity to venture and explore, but it’s primary focus was to take re-control over Palestine. People who joined the crusades weren’t sold on the exploring aspect of it, they were sold on the fact that the pope would grant them salvation and forgiveness of their sins. The Pope was the main cause as he encouraged all Catholics to join convincing them it is what God wants them to do. The crusades did have its pros and cons both typically balancing each other out. Pros of the crusades include: 2nd born child is able to gain land if the 1st born is on the crusades, only 1st born child can be handed down land, offered a chance to get into heaven with the belief that the more Muslims killed, the better chance of getting into heaven, it gave men the chance to escape the boring life of a manor and to experience other cultures, and most of all women were given more rights as they would have to take up the jobs their husbands left behind.
