Europeans are beginning to make their way down to Africa beginning in 1200 and will turn their sites on the Americas and India by 1450. For this particular discussion of Europe, it is right in the middle of the medieval period...the DARK AGES. So, Europe is knights, lords and ladies, castles and kings and ultimately chaotic. The social and political order in Europe is dominated by feudalism, as a result of the early "barbarian invasions" after the collapse of the Roman Empire. But, as the medieval period comes to an end Europeans will no longer be under constant threat of barbarian attacks and feudalism will ultimately give way to monarchies and nation building once again.

There is trade, and unions are really important to supporting that development. The most important you should remember is the Hanseatic League in the North.

The Mongols do arrive in Eastern Europe - specifically Russia and Turkey and bring with them the Bubonic Plague.

Cordoba is the educational center of Europe led by Muslim scholars.

Europeans for the most part at this time really stay out of the affairs of Afro-Eurasia until -- THE CRUSADES. The Crusades are really the biggest interaction the Europeans will have outsides their borders during this time.

(CDI) Explain how the beliefs and practices of the predominant religions in Europe affected European society.

• Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and the core beliefs and practices of these religions continued to shape societies in Europe.

(GOV) Explain the causes and consequences of political decentralization in Europe from c. 1200 to 1450.

• Europe was politically fragmented and characterized by decentralized monarchies, feudalism, and the manorial system.

(SIO) Explain the effects of agriculture on social organization in Europe from c. 1200 to c. 1450.

• Europe was largely an agricultural society dependent on free and coerced labor, including serfdom.