World History
Early Middle Ages
Exam Essays (40 points)


Choose one of the following:
Answer the question fully, with as many facts and data as your essay deserves – more support (with facts) equals a higher grade.  Use paragraphs to organize your answer.

1) Trace the development (from the fall of the Roman Empire through the reign of Charlemagne) of the Catholic Church.  Be certain to include the following in your discussion (or essay):  Papal Primacy, monasteries, the relationship between the church and kings, its need for protection from invasion (and how that affects its freedom), and the creation of the office of Pope.

2) Explain manors and feudal society (or feudal estates).  Describe how they are set up and function.  Compare the earlier manor society to feudal society and show the differences.  Be certain to include the following in your explanation:  lords, vassals, serfs, freeman, and fiefs – also, explain the pyramid system that eventually forms.

3) Explain how Western Europe is formed.  Beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire show the various peoples who battle and blend to create Europe in the year 1000.  Be sure to include the following in your explanation:  The Catholic Church, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Lombards, Vandals, Arabs, and Huns (and anyone else you feel is important).