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Developments in Europe

Teacher Resources

Driving Question: How did religious influences and political decentralization shape medieval Europe c. 1200 to 1450 CE?

As was the case in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, regions in Europe took a variety of approaches to state building between 1200 and 1450. After the fall of the Roman Empire, some parts of Europe retained unity while others became fragmented. Regardless of the outcome, governance was shaped by economic expansion and religious influences.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain how the beliefs and practices of the predominant religions in Europe affected European society.
  2. Explain the causes and consequences of political decentralization in Europe from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
  3. Explain the effects of agriculture on social organization in Europe in the period
  4. Use historical thinking skills and reasoning practices such as sourcing, contextualization, comparison, continuity and change over time (CCOT), and claim testing to evaluate historical events and processes.

Vocab Terms:

  • belief system
  • Christianity
  • consequence
  • feudalism
  • narrative
  • serf
  • sourcing
STEP 1

Opener: Developments in Europe

STEP 2

Europe 1200–1450

In the wake of chaos and disorder, new patterns often emerge that point the way to a new beginning. In the case of Europe circa 1200–1450, decentralization would lead to a new system that would forever change the continent—and the world.

STEP 3

Christendom

Think about your favorite band breaking up and the two main singers starting solo careers. The Christian church had a breakup, and their main singers became the Byzantine and Latin churches.

STEP 5

Closer: Developments in Europe

It is not uncommon to change your mind about things over time, usually based on new knowledge you acquire. The Themes Notebook helps you evaluate how what you thought at the beginning of a unit may have changed over time.