Download Middle Ages/Feudalism Study Guide

Middle Ages/Feudalism Study Guide Answers
1. The period known as “The Middle Ages” is characterized by trade, land ownership, strong central govt. or no religion?
Explain your selection. The Feudal system and the control of the church (who held a large amount of land)
2. Who would most likely have said, “If you give me your loyalty, I will give you land and protection.”? A vassal or lord
3. Many workers died during the plague. How did their deaths affect those who remained? They were able to demand
higher wages and more rights. This is an example of supply and demand, supply (of workers) goes down, demand
goes up (remember price follows demand so these workers were paid higher wages)
4. What were the Holy Wars called? The Crusades
5. These actions are examples of what process:
 Outlawing the selling of church positions
 Prohibiting kings from appointing priests
 Excommunicating Holy Roman emperor Henry IV
Strengthening the power of the church
6. What started the bubonic plague? Fleas from rats
7. Mountains and rivers shaped European culture by what? Separated people which allowed different cultures to
develop
8. What do these medieval items have in common?
Stone Wall, Moat, Knight’s Armor
They all were used in military strategy or were examples of military technology
9. Poor living conditions, crowded homes, spread of diseases, lack of medical treatment and medical knowledge during
Medieval Europe led one to believe what? Impacted life expectancy—was much shorter then than it is now (life
span)
10. Members of which group believed that God had given them the right to rule? Monarchy—the church and the state
were very closely connected
11. Which statement best describes the result of the Crusades?
a. Europeans maintained a lasting control over much of Middle East
b. Islamic influence dominated Europe
c. Europeans developed tolerance of Non Christian religions
d. Trade between Europe and the Middle East was expanded
What were several indirect results of the Crusades? TWO—trade (and commerce) increased with the Middle East and the
Crusades weakened the Feudal system. Lords and vassal sold their land and freed their serfs to go fight in the Crusades
12. The Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in Europe can best be described as a church that
Favored separation of church and state
Avoided involvement in social educational matters
Was a strong force that divided many people
Was a stabilizing influence during a period of weak central governments
13. The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failure.” Explain this expression. The Crusades did not
achieve their original goal but they brought about many desirable changes to Europe.
14. What was the name of the document that King John was forced to sign limiting the power of the king? Magna Carta
15. “All things were under its domain…Its powers were such that no one could hope to escape its scrutiny.” What
European institution during the middle ages was best described in this statement? The church
16. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was what? The Roman Catholic
Church
17. What does the term feudalism mean?
it was a way of structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land
in exchange for service or labor.