Mr. Kallusingh World History Topic 3

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire Europe was in disorder and change

During 400-1500AD the world was in transition and this period is referred to as the Middle Ages, Medieval period, or Dark Ages

Many tribes plundered Europe during this time one of them that had a lasting effect was the Franks

Clovis was the man that brought the Frankish tribes together

Clovis was a good military leader and got support from the church because he was Christian

After the death of Clovis his family members were not strong leaders, and Pepin II took control

Pepin II family became known as the Carolingians

Pepin III gained control of all Frankish tribes and received the blessing of the Pope, later on rulers of most nations desired approval of the Pope

Pepin III received a blessing from the Pope because he helped the Pope in war and gave him land (donation of Pepin)

Charlemagne took over after the death of his father Pepin and he was the greatest Carolingian leader

Charlemagne’s rule brought learning, order, and civilization to barbarian Europe

Charlemagne divided his empire giving each region a count as a leader and had missi dominici to make sure the empire was run properly

After Charlemagne’s death his empire went on a constant decline eventually being split up by his grandsons

Were the most feared invaders in western Europe

Were very democratic even though they had kings

They were very skilled with axes, boats, and large dogs

They used a cavalry to be very successful in combat

Fiercest leader was Genghis Kahn Kublai Kahn did not allow people in

China to join the government unless they were Mongolian

Had an extensive communication system that allowed messages to travel quickly

Early Russian society sprouted up due to trade, especially in Kiev

Most areas were run by princes who took advice from boyars(nobles)

They traded wood, iron, salt, furs, honey, and slaves with the Byzantines for wine, silk, spices, fruit, jewelry, and textiles

Most of Europe during this period was controlled by local lords

Lords would grant a piece of land (fief) to a vassal

Warfare was very common during this time period and the lords were responsible for protecting people with knights

There was an emperor during this period but he really had no power, the Shogun controlled most of the power

Local leaders called daimyo controlled the land and had samurai to protect them

If a person was skilled with a sword they could move up in society

The Church gained a lot of power as religion became very popular and they became very wealthy

Japanese belief system changed during feudal Japan with people believing they could receive salvation through faith only, not needing institutions

It was a large farming estate that for the most part was self-sufficient, anything needed from outside the manor was the responsibility of the lord

". . . I work very hard. I go out at dawn, driving the oxen to the field, and I yoke them to the plough; however hard the winter I dare not stay at home for fear of my master; but, having yoked the oxen and made the plough-share . . . fast to the plough, every day I have to plough a whole acre or more. . . . It is hard work, because I am not a free man."

—Aelfric, Colloquy, translated by G.G. Colton in The Medieval Village

These places became very important during the Middle Ages, due to the fact that they took care of the needy people

They expanded the empire that the Sui started

Xi’an was the capital had about 2 million ppl

They reached a golden age for China around 750 AD

Forced Buddhism out of China and reinforced Confucianism, making a few changes making it Neo-Confucianism

Li Bo wrote poems that were light, happy, and elegant, Daoism http://www.webdelsol.com/Perihelion/LiBo.htm

Du Fu wrote very serious poems about human suffering, Confucianism http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-second-farewell-to-governor-yen-wu-at-the-fengji-post-station/

Song paid Mongols 200,000 ounces of silver a year so they would not conquer them

China became known for great porcelain during this time

Jin controlled northern China During this time people moved into the cities making changes to Society, poor living in apartmentsRich living in huge houses

Civil service exam was improved to avoid cheating

They invented gunpowder, printing, and movable type

Women began the practice of footbindging to show their wealth, consequently small feet became beautiful