12th century

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/12th-century

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the period?1101-1200 AD
2. What is the european context?High Middle Ages; peak influence and expansion of the Cistercian monastic order
3. What was the 12th century like in Europe?In Europe it was the High Middle Ages, with more people, new farming ideas, and many new monasteries. The Cistercians helped grow farms and manage land.
4. Who was Saladin and why did he matter?Saladin was a leader of the Sunni Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt. He overthrew the Fatimid Caliphate and became a key figure in the Crusades.

High Middle Ages: A period in European history (c. 1000-1300 AD) characterized by population growth, agricultural innovation, and the rise of major institutions.
Cistercians: A Catholic monastic order known for its austere lifestyle, manual labor, and significant role in medieval European economy and landscape.
Song Dynasty: A prosperous and technologically advanced Chinese dynasty (960-1279 AD) that faced significant military challenges from northern neighbors.
Khmer Empire: A powerful empire in mainland Southeast Asia (802-1431 AD), renowned for its monumental architecture and sophisticated irrigation systems.