1. Do Now:
• Get a lined sheet of paper and write down
the following questions:
– Describe the “Dark Ages
– Why do historians call it the “Dark Ages”?
– What is the geographical difference between
Northern Europe and Southern Europe?
– How has the climate and geography influenced
Medieval society in Europe?

2. The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages

3. What are the “Dark
Ages”?
476 C.E. – 1000 ish C.E.
Europe: France (Gaul), Italy, Spain, EnglandEurope: France (Gaul), Italy, Spain, England
Portugal, etc.Portugal, etc.
Rome Fell – Left EuropeRome Fell – Left Europe
without leadershipwithout leadership
A Period of FaithA period of struggle

4. Why do historians call it the “Dark Ages”?
1 – Called the “Dark Ages” for
two reasons:
a.Lack of information about the
period
b.Little cultural advancements
made
2 – No longer called the “Dark
Ages” – now known as “Early
Middle Ages”
“The Dark Ages” – 9 min

5. European Geography
Physical Features: Mountains,
waterways, flatlands
Vegetation

6. Find the Landform!
Atlantic Ocean
English Channel
Pyrenees
Alps Apennines
Eurasia
Black
Sea
Mediterranean
Sea

7. Climate

8. Southern Europe
• Rugged
landscape – the
Alps and the
Apennines
• Mild winters and
hot, dry
summers
• Crops – citrus,
olives, etc.

9. Northern Europe
• Much of northern
and western is
grassland and
farmland
• Cold winters
• Plenty of rainfall
• Forest and
farmland
• Crops- Grains

10. What role did geography play in shaping
Medieval society in Europe?
Abundant forestsGood climate for farming
-Abundant rainfall
-- Great crop land
Home to many self sufficient
small kingdoms and
Estates – People could produce
What they needed
Rivers

11. Review
• Why do historians call the period
between 476 -1000 C.E. Called the
“Dark Ages”?
• What role did geography play in
shaping Medieval society in Europe?