Europe Before 1492 - Guided Noted (Text Only)

DIRECTIONS: During this unit, we will discuss basic concepts surrounding the history Europe prior to 1492 in order to better understand the Age of Exploration. Complete the essential questions for each topic using classroom discussions, class notes, your text book, and www.mrgigliotti.com. This guide through the material can be used to help you compose your History Journal short essay questions, study for tests and quizzes and answer questions during classroom review sessions.

FOUNDATIONS OF WESTERN SOCIETY!

ANCIENT GREECE (350 B.C. – 338 B.C.)

A. About Ancient Greece:

1. Ancient Greece if often considered to be the _________________

of Western society?

2. When we refer to “Western Society”, we are referring to the

history of _____________________________?

3. A “foundation” is __________________________________________________________ ?

4. Many of our traditions in government, the arts, and philosophy come from ______________?

B. The Golden Age:

1. During the “Golden Age” many advances were made in _____________,

_____________, and _____________?

2. The “Golden Age” mainly took place in the city state of _____________?

3. List three famous Greek philosophers below:

a.

b.

c.

C. City-States:

1. “City-States” are __________________________________________________________?

2. What were the two most famous “city-states” in Ancient Greece?

a. b.

D. Democracy (True Democracy):

1. What is the definition of “democracy” ____________________________________________?

2. In which Greek city state was “democracy” invented around 500 B.C. __________________?

3. Why is it important for 21^st century students in the United States to study Greek democracy?

ANCIENT ROME: (600 B.C. TO 476 A.D.)

E. About Ancient Rome:

1. After Greece, Rome is also a ________________________

of Western Society?

2. Rome also advanced many of our traditions in _____________,

____________, and _____________?

3. What parts of the world did Rome spread their culture and

their ultimate control?

F. The Roman Republic:

1. What is the definition of a “Republic:?____________________________________________?

2. What does the Latin word “Veto” mean ______________________________________?

3. In Rome, a group of men known as the ________________ made laws for the republic?

4. Why is it important for 21^st century students in the United States to study the Roman

Republic?

G. The Roman Empire:

1. What ultimately happened to the Roman “Republic”? What lessons can be learned?

2. This individual was largely responsible for this __________________________?

3. Other information about the Roman Empire (optional):

H. Roman Contributions to Western Society:

1. The Romans improved many of the ideas of the ___________________________?

2. What was Rome’s major contribution to government ______________________?

3. While English did not directly come from Latin, what percentage of the words in the English

language have a Latin root ________%?

4. Which American city is largely designed to look like Greek and Roman cities?

5. List TWO other Roman contributions to western society below:

a.

b.

J. Decline and Fall of Rome:

1. What eventually happened to the Roman Empire?

THE MIDDLE AGES: (476 TO 1300)

K. The Middle Ages:

1. After the fall of Rome Europe entered a period of time known as ______________________?

2. During the Middle Ages, Europe was divided into many small ____________________?

3. During the Middle Ages, no ____________, ____________, ____________, or

____________ occurred in Europe?

L. Muslim Expansion:

1. At this time, a group of people known as the “Muslims”

came from the _____________ Peninsula and conquered

most of North ____________, ____________

and ____________?

2. Muslims are people who practice the religion of _____________?

M. The Vikings:

1. The Vikings were a group of fearsome invaders from ________________?

2. Today these countries make up “Scandinavia”: ___________, __________,

____________, and ____________?

3. Vikings were very skillful __________________? What types of ships did Vikings

use ______________?

4. Vikings often ______________ and pillaged the coast line of Europe.

Many Vikings even _____________ in places they ______________?

5. ______________ was a famous Viking often credited with discovering

the New World in the year 1000?

6. His discovery was known as _________________?

N. Feudalism:

1. What is the definition of Feudalism _______________ ____________?

2. Powerful “Lords” often divided their land or _______________ into smaller

portions and gave that land to their ______________?

3. In return for the land, the “Vassal”, promised the “Lord” _______________

and _________________?

4. Common people who could not leave the land were called ______________?

O. Life in the Middle Ages:

1. Highly trained warriors on horseback during the Middle Ages were called ________________?

2. Due to the lack of trade during the Middle Ages, the ________________ which consisted of a

house or castle, pastures, fields, a mill, and small homes, had to be totally _______________

and produce or grow everything the people needed?

3. The code of conduct for knights that stressed fair play and respect toward women was

called ______________?

4. Medieval law was different from Roman law and was based on the idea of

“Trial by ______________”?

THE CRUSADES: (1096 TO 1291)

P. The Holy Land:

1. Where is the “Holy Land” located? Why is the “Holy Land” so disputed?

2. Who believes the following Jews, Christians, or Muslims?

a. ______________ believe in one god, the Torah, & the 10 commandments. (Israelites)

b. ______________ believe Jesus is the messiah, one god, and the Bible. (Rome)

c. ______________ believe in the teachings of Muhammad, one god, and the Quran. (Mecca)

3. During the 1000’s a group of Muslims from central Asia known as the Seljuk ______________

captured and took control of the Holy Land.

4. In response, Pope Urban II called for a series of wars to be fought by the Christian armies of

Europe to reclaim the Holy Land. These wars are called the ________________________?

Q. Results of the Crusades:

1. After several wars or Crusades, the Christian armies of Europe were

_______________in their attempts to recapture the Holy Land from the Turks.

2. As a result of the Crusades however, Europeans were introduced to many exotic

items for the first time such as (list FIVE):

a. b. c. d. e.

3. As a result of the Crusades, Europeans begin to ________________ and ________________

once again. “Trade fairs” also cause the rise of ________________ once again not seen

since the fall of Rome.

4. The major result of the Crusades for the people of Europe is that the ___________________

come to and end.

THE RENAISSANCE: (1330-1600)

R. What was the Renaissance?

1. The definition of “Renaissance” is ______________________________________________?

2. During the “Renaissance”, Europe saw a rebirth of ________________, ________________,

________________, ________________, and ________________?

3. List TWO famous “Renaissance” artists below:

a. b.

4. ________________ was an Italian scientist who experimented with gravity?

5. ________________ was a German scientist who invented the “printing press”?

THE RISE OF EUROPEAN NATIONS

S. England:

1. England is important in United States History because it is the nation that will establish

the 13 original American ________________?

2. In 1066, England was conquered by a Norman named ________________?

3. In 1215, English nobles forced the king to sign the __________________ limiting his powers?

4. How is the limitation of powers relevant to students in the United States of America?

T. Spain & Portugal:

1. For over 1000 years, Spain was under the control of a group of

Muslims known as the ________________?

3. After years of fighting, Christian kingdoms in Spain led by

Queen ________________ and King ________________ drove the

Moors out of Spain in 1492 at the Battle of Grenada.

U. Information about other European nations:

1. France:

2. ________________ and _______________ would not be united until the 1800’s?

ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR OTHER NOTES: