European Invaders An ahistorical depiction of a Viking

European Invaders

An ahistorical depiction of a Viking

The Vikings The relative peace Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long. Even before he died, invaders had begun nibbling at the edges of his empire. Of all the invaders, the fiercest were the Vikings. Origins of Vikings • Vikings came from northern Europe • Lived in Scandinavia • Society rural, agricultural • Most worked as fishers, farmers Food Shortages New Sources • Though sea provided plenty of fish, soil not fertile • Viking leaders looked for new sources of food, wealth • Farmers had trouble growing enough grain • Decided to take what they needed from others • Food shortages common problem • Viking raids began

Sailing Skills Viking Raids • Vikings superb ship builders, sailors • Ships capable of withstanding heavy ocean waves; crews as many as 100 • Skills at navigation allowed crossing great expanses of ocean

Viking Raids First Targets Little Time First targets of raids People lived in fear, had no England, northern France Later Vikings began raiding places farther from homeland Even inland locations like Paris, Aachen unsafe warning that Vikings were coming Fast-moving ships approached target quickly Vikings killed, captured defenders; took what they could find, sailed away

VIKING RAIDS Favorite Targets Among favorite Viking targets, monasteries Viking Settlements Not all Vikings who left Scandinavia raiders, some explorers Monks not warriors, One place settled by Vikings, Fine treasures, jeweled Viking society thrived there for Vikings not Christians, had no 982, Viking explorers reached monasteries easy to plunder crosses, golden candlesticks stolen problems stealing religious items Iceland; first arrived late 700 s centuries, longer than in Europe Greenland 100 years later, Leif Eriksson reached North America

Normandy Viking warriors also settled in northern France Led by chief named Rollo, attacked France many times King of France made deal with Rollo to stop raids, defend Frankish lands against other Vikings King to give Rollo land Rollo accepted, area became known as Normandy, land of Northman

Islam: Mustard Yellow Charlemagne: Grey Vikings: Red

Steps: 1. Cooperative Groups 2. Read Packet Underline Primary sources (leave secondary sources alone (not everything in quotes is primary) 3. Write a Argumentative Speech Viking Application