Day 25: Handouts, classwork, and homework

*Note (1): Underlined words are links to downloadable pages.
*Note (2): Please be prepared for a possible pop quiz at the beginning of each class. It will be based on material presented in the previous class.
*Note (3): Blog details are subject to change.

Social Studies 8

Intro. to the Middle ages - Concept:

The invasions of the Roman Empire up to 500 AD (see map on p. 13) brought about the destruction and division of the western part of the empire (rival tribal invaders). Western Europe became a fragmented collection of independent areas ruled by local lords (tribal leaders), called German Kingdoms, since invaders were mainly “germanic” – from northern Europe, from eastern Europe, and around the Rhine and Elbe Rivers. Note: the Huns invaded from central and eastern Asia. Note: the Roman Catholic Christian Church survived throughout this time, and still played a very important role in western Europe.

• It was dangerous to travel, to trade. Page 41 describes how one of these germanic tribes, the Franks, gained control of larger areas, and tribal leaders soon realized that if they were going to control larger areas they would have to use some of the ideas of the original Roman government system.
• Muslims attacked the German kingdoms in the 700’s. Their attacks into France were stopped by Charles Martel at Tours. However, they did conquer parts of Spain, Sicily, and southern Italy. Advanced learning of the Muslims reached these parts of Europe as a result.
• Charlemagne became the most important ruler of the Franks. He was part of the Carolingian dynasty. There had been an earlier dynasty, called the Merovingian dynasty, but it was not as strong as the later Carolingian dynasty. See the map on p. 43 for the large area Charlemagne ruled. He encouraged education (through the Catholic Church) and the spread of Christianity. See text for details.

§ After Charlemagne’s death, his grandsons were not able to keep the Frankish empire together, so the empire was divided up and became weaker.

§ Now that the empire was weaker, it was not able to stand up against a new wave of invaders from 800 – 1000, the Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims (continuing on from the 700’s). The Vikings settled in France, and became known as Normans

(from “Norse-men”, or men from the north)

Handout: German Kingdoms worksheet

Video: Age of Charlemagne

Handout: Charlemagne worksheet

Homework #1: Complete the German Kingdoms worksheet, due March 10

Homework #2: Complete the Charlemagne worksheet (first side), due March 10

Social Studies 11

Fundamental causes of World War I

Notes on: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism

Homework: Worksheet Exercise #5: "Motivation for going to war", due March 10