The Early Middle Ages
What city became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and grew wealthy through trade between Europe and Asia?
Constantinople
What was the name of the political and social system in medieval Europe in which lords and vassals exchanged land, protection, and loyalty?
Feudalism
Who was the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages?
The pope
What were the series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land during the Middle Ages?
The Crusades
What famous document was King John of England forced to sign that limited the king's power and established important legal rights?
The Magna Carta
How was the bubonic plague primarily transmitted to humans during the Black Death?
Through bites from infected fleas, often carried by rats.
What was the name of the collection of Roman laws organized under Emperor Justinian that helped unify the Byzantine Empire?
Justinian’s Code
What was the name of the code of conduct that required medieval knights to demonstrate bravery, loyalty, honesty, and fairness?
Chivalry
What role did parish priests play in the everyday lives of people in medieval European villages?
They conducted religious services, administered sacraments, taught Christian beliefs, and helped the sick and needy.
What were the organizations formed by medieval merchants and craftspeople to regulate and protect their trades?
Guilds
What was the name of the English governing body that developed from the king's Great Council and eventually gained the power to approve or reject taxes?
Parliament
In what country did the Black Death originate before spreading along trade routes into Europe?
China
Who was the Frankish king who united much of Western Europe, spread Christianity, promoted education, and was crowned emperor by the pope?
Charlemagne
What was the name given to peasants who were legally bound to a lord's land and could not leave without permission?
Serfs
What was the name of the Church's punishment that excluded an individual from the Church and denied them access to the sacraments?
Excommunication
What was the name of the Christian campaign to reclaim Spain from Muslim rule, which was followed by the Spanish Inquisition to enforce religious unity?
The Reconquista
Why did English barons force King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215?
They were angry over his high taxes, unsuccessful wars, and abuse of power. They wanted to limit the king's authority and protect their rights.
During which century did the Black Death spread across Europe, killing millions of people?
The 14th century (1300s)
Who was the Frankish king who conquered Gaul (modern-day France) and converted to Christianity?
Clovis
What did a lord provide to a vassal in exchange for military service, payments, and loyalty under the feudal contract?
Land (called a fief) and protection.
What was the name of the major split in Christianity in 1054 that divided the Church into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches?
The Great Schism
What were two agricultural improvements that helped increase food production and population growth in medieval Europe?
Any two: iron plows, horses replacing oxen, or improved crop rotation.
What issue caused conflict between medieval popes and Holy Roman Emperors over the practice of lay investiture?
Who had the authority to appoint bishops; the pope or the emperor.
What were two factors that made European cities especially vulnerable to the rapid spread of the Black Death?
Overcrowding and poor sanitation/hygiene.
Why did Constantinople become one of the wealthiest and most important cities of the Byzantine Empire?
Its strategic location along major trade routes connecting Europe and Asia.
Why were medieval manors considered self-sufficient?
They produced most of the food, goods, and services needed by the people living on them, reducing their dependence on outside trade.
Why did the growing wealth and power of the medieval Church lead to calls for reform?
As the Church became wealthier and more powerful, corruption increased, and some religious leaders neglected their duties and vows. Reformers wanted the Church to return to its religious principles and practices.
How did the expansion of trade contribute to the growth of towns and the emergence of a new middle class in medieval Europe?
Growing trade created new markets and jobs for merchants, traders, and artisans. Trading centers developed into towns and cities, while successful merchants and craftspeople formed a middle class.
How did the Magna Carta and the development of Parliament help establish the foundations of modern government in England?
They limited the monarch's authority by establishing that the king must obey the law, protecting certain legal rights, and giving Parliament increasing control over taxation. These developments helped establish the principles of limited government and the rule of law.
How did the Black Death affect the wages and working conditions of surviving European peasants?
The massive loss of life created labor shortages, allowing surviving peasants to demand higher wages and better conditions.
Why did Western Europe experience political instability following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire?
The loss of a strong central government and military to maintain law, order, and security
How did repeated invasions and the weakening of central governments contribute to the development of feudalism in medieval Europe?
People increasingly relied on powerful local lords for protection rather than a strong central government. In exchange for protection and land, they pledged loyalty, military service, or labor, creating the relationships that formed feudal society.
How did the Roman Catholic Church exercise political power over kings and other rulers during the Middle Ages?
The Church claimed papal supremacy (authority over secular rulers) and could use punishments such as excommunication and interdicts to pressure rulers into obeying Church authority.
Although the Crusades failed to establish lasting Christian control of the Holy Land, how did they contribute to major economic and political changes in Europe?
The Crusades expanded trade and encouraged the growth of a money economy, introduced Europeans to new goods and knowledge, and strengthened monarchs by allowing them to collect taxes to finance the wars.
What two important contributions did King Henry II make to England's legal system?
He established the foundations of English common law (based on customs and previous court decisions) and developed an early jury system.
How did expanding trade routes contribute to the spread of the Black Death from Asia into Europe?
Merchants and travelers carried the disease along major trade routes, including the Silk Road. Infected rats and fleas traveled aboard trading ships, spreading the plague to European port cities and eventually inland.