Economic Collapse One region collapses, all other regions economically indirectly affected Britain and surrounding regions

ns first to go o Regions on the boundaries of the Roman Empire were affected by Germanic invasions o Very dependent on imperial government to pay for legions o Empire declines government cant pay soldiers Western Mediterranean next o No imperial government to maintain roads and protect trade o Markets and resources depended on were gone and revenues o Trade very difficult Economy of Aegean o Loss of trade and markets in Western Mediterranean hurts them o Loss of taxes and revenue from Syria, Palestine, and Egypte. Aftermath o Byzantium hurt, but by 750 begins period of recovery o Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia thrive because of quick conquer by Arabs o Frontier Regions begin revival under the Carolingian Franks. Collapse of Political Order in Western Europe Germanic tribes have a poor understanding of the Roman heritage they had taken over o Unable To understand how Roman government worked o Barbarian kingdoms were loosely knit with not much loyalty o Taxes werent collected, roads bridges and aqueducts are unrepaired, public order breaks down. o Germanic tribes cant grasp the concept of the state. o The crown and the loyalty of the subjects were the personal property of the king. o Kings split their kingdom amongst his sons, often causing jealousy and stuff Schools close down without money to run them. Money disappearing land becomes the main source of wealth. o Nobles paid in land, and they could grow crops, giving them regenerating wealth. o Nobles become more independent from their king. o Kings power declines People donate land to the Church to save their souls o This makes Church rich and corrupt Church looks to King for protection King looks to Church for land, spiritual blessing, and educated Monks. Kings and Church grow more independent

 Stirrup o Holds rider more securely in saddle. o This leads to cavalry being used more o New armies are expensive Feudalism o A decentralized political order where a king or lord would give his nobles land worked by serfs (peasants bound to the soil) in return for military and other forms of service o Purpose is to correct instability in the Eastern Roman Empire o King has land Gives land to Lords who give him loyalty Lords need soldiers hires knights Knights give lords protection and get land Knights have peasants work on the land, who give him food Peasants get protection o Works if everyone does what they are supposed to do o Vassal- someone under you o Knights Cavalry- horses Provide military services Chivalry- code of honor they take o Purpose is to create stability o Medieval towns Smaller Cant trade as much Manorialism o Population doubles o Warming of climate o More land o Technological advancements o Crop rotation o Horse Power Serfdom o Peasants legally bound to land o Duty is to serve the lord o Pay rent o Restrictive Religion and Feudalism o Bishops administer land rather than nobles Given power by Otto 1 Solved succession crisis o Church owned 1/3 of land in Western Europe o Special privileges as agents of God o Tithe o Majority of priests were serfs

 Council of Clermont o Calls for Crusade o Pope Urban II o