The Middle Ages

The Middle AgesAfter the fall of Rome, Europe was in a state of chaos with no government

Also known as the Medieval Period or the Dark Ages because of the lack of learning

Lasted from about 500 to 1400CE in EuropeTrade slowed, towns emptied, learning ceased

The Middle Ages

Three Main Groups:Those Who Work - Feudalism

Those Who Pray - Catholic Church

Those Who Fight - Kings, Knights, The Crusades

Those Who Work: Feudalism Gov’t organized to

protect territories from invaders

Kings & Nobles

Merchants & Soldiers

Peasants/Serfs

Feudalism/Manorialism People left cities to live on manors (the lord’s estate) in order to grow food to live

Self-sufficient communities where people produced everything they needed

Feudalism: social/economic/political system Manorialism: Self-sufficient manors [3-field system]

-Peasants paid taxes on milling grains, marriages, rents-Serfs: could not leave without permission; treated like slaves; children born into serfdom

FeudalismPeople left cities to live on manors (the lord’s estate) in order to grow food to live

Self-sufficient communities where people produced everything they needed

FeudalismPeasants paid taxes on milling grains, marriages, rents

Serfs: could not leave without permission; treated like slaves; children born into serfdom

Those Who Pray - The Catholic Church

The Church provided charity: food, shelter, clothing to poor, orphans

Monasteries - become centers for learning; Monks know how to read and write

Illuminated Manuscripts - handwritten copies of religious documents

Catholic Church organization

Cardinals

Archbishops

Bishops

Priests

The Catholic Church

Forced people to pay tithes to the ChurchCould excommunicate members or kick them out of the church

Sold indulgences, simonyKings and Nobles could appoint church officials

Indulgence- forgiveness for sins

Simony- buy church job

Medieval ArtMostly religious basedDarkOverly ornateGothic - Late Middle Ages

Gothic Architecture

The Middle Ages: By PeriodEarly Middle Ages: 500 – 1000

-Rise of the Franks [Merovingians/Clovis I/Charlemagne]-Monks/Monasteries preserve knowledgeHigh Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250-Increased Catholic Church Power-Ongoing battles against Muslims in Spain (began in 8th

century)Late Middle Ages: 1250 – 1450-Resurgence of learning and inventions lead to Renaissance-Increased Catholic Church power leads to Reformation-Regional Kingdoms gain power leading to increased trade

routes and Exploration

The High Middle Ages - Those Who Fight

Lasted from 1100 to 1300 BCE; during this period, Europe developed nation-states with populations and a national unity:

Nations led by kings, princes as rulersMade war against others to obtain territory

Trade rose and towns developedCatholic Church led wars for Christian domination

Rise of Nation-States

England

France

Holy Roman

Empire

Spain

The Crusades

Forgiveness for sins

Cancellation of debts

Protection for families and property

Cancellation of criminal charges

Land and wealth (from the Turks)

Holy wars to regain Jerusalem from the Muslims; first called by Pope Urban II who promised:

The Crusades

1st Crusade: 3 groups marched to Holy Land

Most successful; Crusaders captured Jerusalem & Antioch; massacred thousands of Muslims

Problems: heat, supplies, disunity

The Crusades2nd Crusade: Muslims retake Jerusalem; group sent to take the city was defeated

3rd Crusade (King’s Crusade): led by kings; Muslims kept lands

The Crusades4th: excommunicated after they conquered Christian Constantinople; never reconquered Holy Land

Children’s Crusade - Army made up of children hoped Turks would give up Holy land; children enslaved

Results of the Crusades

Discovery of new ideas, inventions, weapons from interactions with Muslims

Kings gained powerStatus of women increasedRevival of trade between Europe & Middle East

The Plague

Black DeathSpread by rats, ticks from trading ships in the early 14th century

Killed half the population of Europe

Came back in waves

The Disease The Disease CycleCycle

Flea drinks rat blood that carries the

bacteria.

Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

Bacteriamultiply inflea’s gut.

Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound.

Human is infected!

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

A Doctor’s Robe

“Leeching”Also, tried containment and quarantine but often too late or not enough places participate

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

Flagellanti:Self-inflicted “penance” for our

sins!

Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlagueBlame the Jews

“Jew” hat

“Golden Circle” obligatory badge

Post-classical Europe Questions: 600-1450ce 1). What are Indulgences and Simony?

2). Describe life in the Dark Ages? When do the Dark Ages begin?

3). What is the difference between the beginning of the Middle Ages and the High Middle Ages?

4). What special defensive structure helped people survive the Dark Ages?

5). What is the major unifying force during the Dark Ages? 6). Explain the Feudal system that existed in Europe during

the Middle Ages. Write in sentences for this one please. 7). How did the Plague spread and what are some reasons

Europeans believe it happened? 8). Why did European men choose to join the Crusades? 9). How successful were the crusades? What are the major

outcomes of the Crusades on Europe and on Dar-Al-Islam? 10). Why did the plague spread globally during the Post

Classical era instead of an earlier era? Why couldn’t it spread globally during the Foundations period (8000-600bce)?