The “fall” of the Roman Empire was one of the most dramatic events in the early

The “fall” of the Roman Empire was one of the most dramatic events in the early history of Western Civilization. Because of the size, prosperity, and stability that the Romans had provided to so many communities throughout the Ancient World, the decline of the Roman Empire created an enormous power vacuum in Western Europe. As the political and military functions of the empire collapsed, the commercial and communications networks disintegrated. Life became increasingly more dangerous and chaotic. Communities throughout Europe became less stable, more isolated, and more violent. And yet new systems of order arose from the chaos – vassalage and manorialism. The paper topic will encourage you to define and then explore the significance and origins of the vassalage and the manorial system using our readings from the Wienser-Hanks and Perry texts (in Wiesner-Hanks, pgs. 123-287; and in Perry, pgs. 98-293). Using the documents on pages 218-225 in the Perry sourcebook, develop your own definitions of vassalage and the manorial system, and then discuss their significance for Europe during the Early Middle Ages – more specifically, analyze how vassalage and the manorial system formed the political, social, and economic foundations for Medieval civilization. Based on your knowledge of Ancient Rome, Early Christianity, and the customs and circumstances of the barbarian tribes that settled in Europe after the fall of Rome, evaluate and explain to what degree feudalism was derived from social relationships and traditions of the past and to what extent it was a product of necessity during the Early Middle Ages?
1. What was vassalage? (Bring examples from the primary sources that you could quote or cite to illustrate your definition)
2. What was the manorial system? (Bring examples from the primary sources that you could quote or cite to illustrate your definition)
3. What were the functions of vassalage and the manorial system – how did each of them work? How did they address the problems and challenges that faced Western Europe following the “fall” of Rome? (This time use both the primary and secondary sources to provide evidence for how you arrived at your evaluation)
4. To what extent did Roman traditions and customs shape the rise of the vassalage and the manorial system? (Using both the primary sources and the textbook, think about passages from both books that might help you to explain what impact the legacy of Rome had on the creation of vassalage and the manorial system)
5. To what extent did the early Christian Church and its teachings shape the rise of the vassalage and the manorial system? (Again using both the primary sources and the textbook, think about passages from both books that might help you to explain what impact Christianity and the Church had on the creation of vassalage and the manorial system)
6. To what extent did the traditions and customs of the barbarian tribes that settled Europe after the “fall” of Rome shape the rise of the vassalage and the manorial system? (Using both the primary sources and the textbook, think about passages from both books that might help you to explain what impact the culture, customs, and organization of the “Barbarian” tribes that settled Europe had on the creation of vassalage and the manorial system)
I need a rough draft due by Wednesday and only use the books I will provide.