Medieval History, Part 6

Question 1: Describe the causes and effects of the Black Death.

Answer 1: The rapid rise in trade and growth of towns led to a new exchange of germs within often unsanitary, crowded urban areas and then spread to rural communities. The plague that became known as the Black Death is believed to have been brought to Europe from Asia aboard trading vessels which contained plague-infested rats. The worst outbreak lasted from 1347 to 1351, killing some 25 million people throughout Europe. As a result, the populations of some entire towns disappeared. Faith in the church decreased. The large loss of life among peasant laborers forced some landowners to offer wages and incentives to attract workers, further boosting the market economy over the traditional manorial system. Social classes became more fluid as surviving peasants filled the skilled laborer positions vacated when workers died.

There are lots of good resources about History that you can find available.

Question 2: Describe how the Vikings influenced European history.

Answer 2: The Vikings emerged from Scandinavia as one of the most feared and powerful of the invading Germanic forces during the 800s and 900s. The Vikings established settlements throughout Europe, including the French region of Normandy. They established a strong foothold in England in the late 800s. The Viking threat united the Wessex kingdom under Alfred the Great, who built a powerful army and navy to repel the Vikings (whom they called “Danes”). In 886, after ten years of fighting, the Danes surrendered. Alfred allowed them their own independent kingdoms in Mercia and Northumbria. In time, the Danes attempted to retake control of England and succeeded in taking the empire of Canute, until a new Anglo-Saxon king emerged in 1042. Fierce warriors and superior seafarers, the Vikings explored far more regions than other Europeans of this time, including parts of North America.

Question 3: Describe the origins of Anglo-Saxon culture and rule.

Answer 3: After Roman forces withdrew from the British Isles in A.D. 450, competing Germanic tribes struggled for control of the region. The Angles and Saxons emerged as the dominant forces, giving rise to what became known as the Anglo-Saxon culture. The numerous small Anglo-Saxon kingdoms shared many common features, including the dialect now called Old English. The southern province of Wessex emerged as the strongest of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Wessex king Alfred the Great succeeded in defeating Vikings forces in 886. By Alfred’s reign, most Anglo-Saxon regions had organized into shires, or counties, led by officials known as ealdormen and shire-reeves. These positions evolved into aldermen and sheriffs of later cultures.

Previous: Medieval History, Part 5 - Next: Methodology, Techniques, and History, Part 2

Flashcard Secrets provides test preparation products for a variety of examinations - all trademarks are property of their respective trademark owners.

3827 Phelan #179

Beaumont, TX 77707