• I can explain the political impact of Christianity and the role of the Church in Medieval society

• I can describe how increasing trade led to the growth of towns and cities including the impact of the Bubonic Plague

• I can describe the causes and impact of the Crusades on the Islamic World and Europe

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Learning Targets

• After Charlemagne was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope, he became a valuable asset to Christianity

• Spread Christianity throughout the Frankish empire

• Built many churches

• Only clergy could interpret the Bible

• Only written in Latin

• Challenge = Excommunication

Medieval Christianity

• 1037 Seljuk Turks began building an Islamic Empire

• Threatened Byzantine Empire and took Jerusalem

• Pope Urban II called for the 1st Crusade (1096-1099)

• Muslims took Jerusalem again after 100 years

• Next 300 years - more Crusades

  • 9 Major Crusades (1096-1272)

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The Crusades

• Religious Zealous

• Monetary Gain

• Political Power

Reasons for Participation in the Crusades

• Came from China in 1344

• Spread quickly due to trade

  • 1347-1351 (4 years!)

• Yersinia Pestis

  • bacteria

  • carried by fleas

  • transmitted to rats

  • humans get it through rats

• Killed about 1/3 of the population

• 25-50 million people

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The Plague