Causes and Characteristics of the Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

The Middle Ages

1. The Middle Ages: What is it?a. Name given to the time period between the fall of Rome and the

Renaissance.b. Lasts roughly 1000 years, 500-1500c. Sometimes called The Dark Ages or medieval

period.d. Often seen as a very bleak and dangerous periode. Had roots in:

i. The classical heritage of Romeii. The beliefs of the Roman Catholic Churchiii. The customs of various Germanic tribes

Fall of Rome

Causes of the Middle Ages

2. Causes of the Middle Agesa. Fall of Romeb. Invasions of Germanic Tribes

i. Disruption of Trade: Merchant trade collapsed and Europe’s economic centers were destroyed. Money also became scarce.

ii. Downfall of cities: Cities were abandoned as centers of administration.

Causes of the Middle Ages

b. Invasionsiii. Europe became rural: Roman cities left without

strong leadership. Population shifted to the countryside.

iv. Decline of learning: Germanic invaders could not read or write. Learning became less important as people moved to rural areas.

v. Loss of a common language: Latin changed as Germanic people mixed with Roman population.

vi. Loss of centralized rule: Germanic tribes did not have codified laws nor an educated bureaucracy for ruling purposes.

Characteristics of the Middle Ages

3. Changes that occurred as a Result of the Fall of Rome

a. New Germanic Kingdoms Emerge (Holy Roman Empire)

b. Rise of feudalism in Europe

Characteristics of the Middle Ages

3. Changes that occurred as a Result of the Fall of Rome

c. The power of the Church grew rapidlyd. Europe became rural as cities shranke. No major emphasis on learningf. Decline in Trade

Causes/Effects of the Middle Ages

3. Changes that occurred as a Result of the Fall of Rome

g. New languages replace Latinh. Early signs of modern European countries start to appear (England & France)