Size of the forces involved; the number of casualties (dead and wounded)The major “players” involved, whether they be powerful countries or peopleThe context/circumstances surrounding the battle. Why was the battle being fought? Where there extenuating circumstances like geography, weather, etc. that influenced the outcome?The outcome, for example: did the battle win the war or turn the tide of the war; had one side been losing up until that battle?Long-term effects, for example, did the winner go on to win the war and change the course of history?
Write a list of factors that distinguish one battle from another. In essence, why do we place importance on one battle (not war) over others?
NAME OF BATTLE: Example: the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. June 6, 1944
CHARACTERISTICS THAT MADE IT IMPORTANT:•Largest amphibious landing ever. 1 million men• Fortress Europe was being invaded. The success at Normandy hastened the end of WWII • Had to be done in absolute secrecy to ensure its success • Weather played a factor. Germans didn’t think Allies would invade
in bad weather; they did! •The heroics of the men at Omaha Beach have become part American culture (Saving Private Ryan; Band of Brothers, The Longest Day, etc.)
Provide an example of an important battle you have studied in one of your history classes (US I, US II, or World). Describe the characteristics that made it important to your study of that topic/subject area.
How did democratic traditions begin to evolve as the kingdoms of England and France began to develop?
What steps were necessary to centralize governments in France and England?
What was the significance of the Battle of Hastings?
What is the significance of the Magna Carta?
Essential Questions:
England Absorbs InvadersMany invaders landed
from different regions landed in BritainThe AnglesThe SaxonsCreated Anglo-Saxon
cultureThe Vikings
Alfred the Great (871-899) unites his kingdom under one rule, calling it England, “land of the Angles”
1016 – Danish King Canute united Anglo-Saxons and Vikings into one people
Struggle for the Throne…1042 – King Edward the
Confessor took the throne Died in 1066 without an
heirThe resulting power
vacuum leads to war!
The Norman ConquestInvader = William the
Conqueror Duke of Normandy
(northern France)Cousin of King Edward
William invaded England with a Norman army and claimed English crown
Rival = Harold GodwinsonBrother-in-law of Edward Anglo-Saxon who claimed
the throne
Fought against William in the Battle of HastingsNormans were victorious after
Harold takes an arrow in the eye
William claimed all England his person property.
Kept 1/5 for himselfGave lands to 200 Norman
lordsUnified control of the landLaid foundation for centralized
governmentBrought feudalism to England
Remember Robin Hood?Anglo-Saxons hated
their Norman conquerors
The Norman lords wielded much power and heavily taxed the Saxons
The story of Robin Hood tells of his exploits in stealing from the rich (Normans) and giving to the poor (Saxons)
Goals of the English KingsHold onto and add to their
French landsStrengthen their power
over nobles and the ChurchEnglish king Henry II
acquired a French territory, Aquitaine in his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine Added to lands in
NormandyServed as a vassal to the
French King
Juries and Common LawHenry II strengthened the
royal courts by:Sending royal judges to every
part of England at least one/yearCollected taxesSettled lawsuitsPunished crimes
Introduced use of a juryMade up of loyal peopleAnswered judge’s questions about
the caseOnly allowed in king’s courts
Common law: a unified body of law created by case by case rulings of England’s royal judges
The basis for law in U.S.
The Magna CartaORDER OF MONARCHS: Henry II > Richard
the Lionhearted > John SoftswordLost Normandy, lands in northern FranceAlienated the ChurchThreatened rights to self-governRaised taxes to all-time high
Nobles revolted and forced John to agree to the Magna Carta (Great Charter) in 1215Guaranteed basic political rights
No taxation without representation Right to a jury trial Right to protection under the law
Basic legal rights in U.K. and U.S. today!
The Model ParliamentJohn Softsword > Edward I1295 – Edward needed to
raise taxes so he called on 2 burgesses (citizens of wealth and property, but not necessarily a noble) from every borough and 2 knights from every county
In November, knights, burgesses, bishops, lords met together in London as a parliament (a legislative group)
A model for later kings
In Parliament – the two groups formed an assembly of their own:House of Commons
(knights and burgesses)House of Lords
(nobles and bishops)Weakened power of
lordsProvided a check on
royal power, just like the Magna Carta
The Capetian DynastyCapet family only controlled a
small area of France, but it included Paris
Despite being weak rulers, Capets managed to expand their power outward from Paris
Most powerful Capetian was Philip II (1180-1223)
His goal: weaken the power of English kings in France
Seized Normandy from King John in 1204, tripled the lands under his control
Established a strong central governmentEstablished officials called
bailiffs who presided over the king’s courts and collected the king’s taxes
Phillip II’s Heirs
Louis IX – 1226-1270Created a French appeals court (could overturn the decisions of
local courts)Strengthened the monarchyWeakened feudal ties
Philip IV – 1285-1314 Fought w/ the pope about priests paying taxes to the kingCalled a meeting to win support against the pope and invited
commoners
Estates-GeneralPhilip IV invited all to
participate in a meeting known as the Estates-GeneralHelped to increase royal
power against the nobilityDid not limit the king’s power
In England and France these events were important steps towards increased central government power and democratic rule