Dark Ages Geography

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 Ages The 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 forests Good 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?