During this unit, students will learn background information about the Byzantine Empire and examine documents about Justinian as Emperor to determine if Justinian was an effective leader.  In addition, students will examine and analyze the feudal system and how it collapsed.

Students will also learn about how one adversity in human history triggered tremendous consequences.  They will examine the plague outbreak of the 14th century, commonly referred to as the Black Death, and its effects on Europe.  While many diseases have struck the world at various times, the 14th century plague outbreak was devastating to the people of Afroeurasia, killing up to one third of the population or more across the super-continent in a very short time span.  The Black Death certainly fits the criteria of “adversity.” 

We will be learning about the causes for the Crusades, the power of the Renaissance, and how Italian city-states, whose geographic location provided advantages that led to greater wealth through trade.  Students will also begin to construct a comprehensive overview (map) of trades routes that linked all regions of Afroeurasia.