Exam Revision Flashcards
What were some of the reasons that historians suggest contributed to the fall of Rome?
- Civil war
- Barbarians
- Too big of an empire to control
- Christianity discouraged them to conquer
What were the crusades?
A series of wars fought throughout Europe and then Middle East between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. The Christians fought against the non-Christians and heretics (Christians who holds views that conflict with the Church teachings).
Hierarchy of Medieval Europe
Monarch (King)
Tenants-in-chief (Lords)
Sub-tenants (Knights)
Peasants
Hierarchy of the Christian Church
Pope Cardinal Archbishop Bishop Priest Deacon Laity
Describe the role of the nobles.
They were the tenants-in-chief in the social order. They provided fully equipped knights to serve in the monarch’s army. They also pledged their loyalty, money, and prayers to the monarch. They were the owners of the manor, and loaned land to people in return for taxes called tithe.
Describe the role of the bishop.
Along with the cardinals and archbishops, they supported the Pope’s decisions, advised the lords and kings, and had key government power.
Describe the role of the clergy.
They were the officials of the Church, and were given land by the monarch. In some parts of Europe, the clergy supported the Pope over the king. They had simple lives living in a monastery, abandoning possessions in God’s will. They were educated in monasteries, and sometimes worked on the farm.
Describe the role of the peasants.
They worked the land and paid taxes in the form of crops. They worked on the farm all day, clearing fields, harvesting crops, repairing buildings, chopping and sawing wood, and paying tax in the form of resources. Life was very difficult.
What two important developments were needed to enable a soldier to move around on horseback during battle?
The foot supports suspended from the saddle, and a heavy horse capable of carrying the knight in full armour.
What are siege weapons?
They are weapons that can be used from a long distance, or without getting too close (e.g. catapult, ballista and battering ram).
What were some symptoms of the Black Death?
There was three variations of the Black Death, but its most common form was the ‘bubonic plague’. ‘Buboes’ - which were stinky, pus-filled swellings - appeared on the victim’s body.
The second form was pneumonic plague, which affected the respiratory system.
The third was septicaemic plague, which affected the blood. Common symptoms included fever and vomiting. In its final stages, the victim’s skin turned purple-black and their nervous system was affected, causing their speech to be slurred and their body to stagger around.
What were some of the changes that happened in society after the Black Death?
At least a third of Europe’s population had perished, and many villages were deserted and would never repopulate.
The feudal system was weakened too. With a shortage of workers, serfs demanded wages, and freemen demanded higher wages.
The power of the church had also weakened. It lost respect by failing to protect people through prayer. There was also a loss in clergy and priests, so they were forced to accept people who weren’t as educated.
Explain how the Church became so powerful and wealthy during the medieval period.
The pope was powerful as he was the only ruler of Christianity, whereas there were many kings that ruled their own country. The pope had a larger say in what was right or wrong, and people had to obey him.
What new military technology was introduced that saw the end of castle and medieval warfare.
Gunpowder caused the destruction of castles to be too easy. It could be used in huge cannons to blast the walls, or in guns to kill people instantly.
Hierarchy of Feudal Japan.
Emperor - Figurehead without real power Shogun - Military leader who ruled Japan Daimyo - Noble Lords Samurai - Paid soldiers Ronin - Masterless samurai Peasants - Farmers and fisherman (90% of population) Artisans - Craftpeople Merchants - Salespeople
What is Buddhism?
A religion which involves a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices based on the teachings of Buddha.
What is a Daimyo?
A great feudal lord of Japan during the classical and shogunate periods.
What is bushido?
The way of the warrior; the rules that prescribed the correct behaviour of all samurai.
