Migration Flashcards
Why did the Vikings invaded?
-In the mid 170s, the Vikings invaded because they had traded goods with Anglo-Saxons and knew of their wealth
-They also struggled to grow crops, its land was overcrowded and very hilly
What happened during the Viking invasion?
The Vikings turned to Wessex in 876. Alfred of Wessex was forced to retreat which gave him time to train an army. In May 878, Alfred won at the Battle of Eddington.
Boundaries were settled as the Vikings were given the North and East, this was Danelaw. Gunthrum also had to become Christian
Impact of the Vikings invasion
England changed considerably, the Vikings brought places, place names, customs, skill crafts and farming techniques. In the long term, they helped with names of the days of the week. To ensure no further attacks, Alfred built burhs around the country to strengthen England’s defences.
Changing Kings
Edgar the Peaceful’s son, Edward, became king but his reign only lasted 3 years.
Aelthred became king. New Viking attacks were launched in 991 and Vikings won in the Battle of Maldon.
Aelthred paid the Vikings danegeld for them to leave but Aelthred realised they didn’t have enough to pay. So, Aelthred made a deal with the Duke of Normandy to marry Emma of Normandy. In 1002, a mass killing of the Vikings was carried out.
Cnut became the new king but Aelthred returned to England and forced Cnut to leave. Edmund replaced Aelthred as king but Edmund was defeated by Cnut in the Battle of Assandun.
Cnut married Emma of Normandy after.
Cnut’s reign
King Cnut was tough with Anglo-Saxons as he thought he might rebel against them. He ordered execution of powerful Anglo-Saxons
Cnut’s reign was peaceful and free and won over the people of the new kingdom. He was a religious man and had good relations with church leaders.
The Norman Kingdom
When Kind Edward died in 1066, the three main contenders was William, Duke of Normandy; Harold Hadrada, the Viking leader; Harold Godwinson, the most powerful in the world.
Harold was chosen as King and won a battle against Hadrada at the battle of Stamford Bridge
However, he was defeated by William at the Battle of Hastings
Later, Henry took over and ruled peacefully for 20 years. Henry wanted his daughter, Matilda, to be next but Stephen took the throne. There was a series of battles and Matilda’s son became king.
King John’s reign
John was Richard I younger brother.
The people wanted John’s nephew, Arthur as king who later mysteriously died.
Phillip invaded Anjou and Normandy and John went back to England and attempted to raise an army but had to raise taxes, increasing his unpopularity.
-His horrific reign led to Barons rebelling and aimed to take over. John agreed to the demands of Barons and signed the Magna Carta. His military reputation also reached a low.
Impact of Angevin Empire
-The Normans spoke French and introduced new French customs. They built hundreds of new churches and monasteries and replaced English as the dominant language.
Henry II inherited Anjou from his father, Normandy from his father, Aquitaine from his wife Eleanor, and married his off to someone in Brittany.
Henry also grew Ireland as he built fortifications and Dublin became a place of trade and commerce
Hundreds Year War
In 1337, King Edward claimed the French throne and declared war on France. England still controlled Gascony where wine was made.
Edward was in conflict with Scotland too so France and Scotland were allies
Known as the Hundreds Year War, lasting 116 years. Most fighting was done on French land.
The first stage Edward won important battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Calais. Edward also captured the French King and held him for ransom. In 1370, France won some land back. Henry V won at the battle of Agincourt and got much of Northern France, however his gains were swept away when Joan of Arc beat England
Impact of the Hundreds Year War
-Due to Battle of Agincourt, France lost 10,000 men while England only lost a few hundred. The Treaty of Troyes made Henry V heir to the French throne
-In the short term, many French people died but not many English and areas of France were devastated. The cost of war was very expensive so France and England had to pay higher taxes. England lost wealthy French areas.
-Battle technique changed as the missile fire and longbow became more common. Gunpowder also became popular
-The King of France was powerful and had full support
-England stopped using the French language and became less involved in relations with Europe. The country became more unified and people had a sense of English identity.
The attractiveness of the Americas
-People chose to leave Britain and go to Americas because there were religious conflicts between Puritans and Catholics and Britain wanted to make more money from farming as there was plenty of land to grow cash crops.
-The British were also keen on developing trade in the Americas
Life in Americas
-Britain’s empire grew and became increasingly profitable
-Privateers stopped stealing
-Some settlers found conditions difficult to grow plantations as there were new diseases and weather too hot
What were the Highland Clearances?
-England began a policy of removing citizens living in the Highlands so there could be more space for farming sheep which made landlords money
-The highlanders moved in diaspora’s
-Highlanders had engineering skills to help with building roads, railways and other building schemes
The slave trade
-The Slave Trade developed as slaves ended up in West indies and America as they traded slaves for products like guns, tobacco, and cotton.
-African slaves ended up in the Americas due to the slave trade and 800% profit was earned
-Britain made some of the largest profits making them one of the most powerful countries in the world.
-Socially, ports such as Liverpool grew into large cities and fine buildings were made.
-Belief that Europeans were superior to Africans
-Abolished in 1807
Jamestown colony in America
Founded in 1607, but there was hardship as they couldn’t find or grow food leading to hunger. With the support of native tribes, land was found and tobacco was grown.
New Plymouth in America
-Puritans left Britain in 1620 and arrived on a ship called the Mayflower. The settlers became known as pilgrim fathers. They worked very hard and farmed to fish cod as this was in demand. They created religious and democratic rules that would’ve become part of American identity
Reactions of Britain moving to Americas
The British arrival was interpreted in different ways.
-The British didn’t treat native tribes with respect which led to massacres. European diseases spread so people had to find a new way of life.
