Viking Development and Expansion

Learning Intention

Learning Intention: To understand the developments and achievements that led to Viking expansion

Success Criteria:

- I will be able to explain the extent of Viking trade and expansion

- I will be able to explain why the Vikings went from peaceful traders to raiders

- I will be able to use sources to explain the developments and achievements of Viking expansion

The Extent of Viking Trade and Expansion

Source 1

Source 1 shows the major Viking trade routes. To the east, Viking merchants travelled as far as Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) where they could meet up with traders from lands even further east along the Silk Road. Up until the late 8th century, the Vikings were known as traders with peoples outside of Scandinavia. But this changed significantly as they began attacking villages, towns and monasteries, plundering their wealth and capturing prisoners. For the next 200 years, the Vikings became more feared, as they pushed outwards from their homelands.

Source 1: Viking weapons

Source 2: Reproductions of authentic Viking armour, including helmets and chain mail on show at a battle re-enactment in Iceland

Activity

Complete this cloze passage (Handout)

Cloze Passage.docx

Why Did the Vikings Become Raiders?

Historians believe the Vikings began raiding for several reasons:

Survival and Environment
- 1. - Some Viking communities lived on poor farmland in a cold climate, which made growing food difficult.
    - As populations grew, pressure on resources increased, so raiding became a way to survive.
Knowledge from Trade
- 1. - Viking traders learned about other lands, towns, and monasteries that held a lot of wealth.
    - Hearing about weak or divided rulers may have encouraged them to attack these richer regions.
Advances in Technology
- 1. - Improvements in shipbuilding and navigation made long-distance raiding possible.
    - Vikings also had strong weapon-making skills and used sharp swords and metal armour.
    - Their longships were fast and ideal for quick attacks.
Wealth, Power, and Adventure
- 1. - Raiding offered quick riches.
    - Leaders (jarls and kings) used this wealth to reward followers, increasing their power and status.
    - Some Vikings also sought glory and adventure.

TEEL Paragraphs

Using TEEL, write one paragraph explaining why the Vikings transformed from peaceful traders to raiders and post it to the discussion forum on CANVAS.

Approx. 100 Words

Extension: Comment on another persons paragraph offering feedback on both their content and structure.

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