The Middle Ages

1. The Middle Ages

2. The Middle Ages • After 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 Europe • Trade slowed, towns emptied, learning ceased

3. The Middle Ages • Three Main Groups: • Those Who Work - Feudalism • Those Who Pray - Catholic Church • Those Who Fight - Kings, Knights, The Crusades

4. Those Who Work: Feudalism • Gov’t organized to protect territories from invaders

5. 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

6. Feudalism • 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

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

8. 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

10. Catholic Church organization

11. The Catholic Church • Forced people to pay tithes to the Church • Could excommunicate members or kick them out of the church • Sold indulgences, simony • Kings and Nobles could appoint church officials Indulgence- forgiveness for sins Simony- buy church job

12. Medieval Art • Mostly religious based • Dark • Overly ornate • Gothic - Late Middle Ages

13. Gothic Architecture

14. The Middle Ages: By Period Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 -Rise of the Franks [Merovingians/Clovis I/Charlemagne] -Monks/Monasteries preserve knowledge High 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

15. 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 rulers • Made war against others to obtain territory • Trade rose and towns developed • Catholic Church led wars for Christian domination

16. Rise of Nation-States • England • France • Holy Roman Empire • Spain

17. 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

18. The Crusades 1st Crusade: 3 groups marched to Holy Land • Most successful; Crusaders captured Jerusalem & Antioch; massacred thousands of Muslims • Problems: heat, supplies, disunity

19. The Crusades • 2nd Crusade: Muslims retake Jerusalem; group sent to take the city was defeated • 3rd Crusade (King’s Crusade): led by kings; Muslims kept lands

20. The Crusades • 4th: 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

21. Results of the Crusades • Discovery of new ideas, inventions, weapons from interactions with Muslims • Kings gained power • Status of women increased • Revival of trade between Europe & Middle East

22. The Plague • Black Death • Spread by rats, ticks from trading ships in the early 14th century • Killed half the population of Europe • Came back in waves

24. The Disease Cycle Flea drinks rat blood that carries the bacteria. Bacteria multiply in flea’s gut. Human is infected! Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound. Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

25. Attempts to Stop the Plague “Leeching” Also, tried containment and quarantine but often too late or not enough places participate A Doctor’s Robe

26. Attempts to Stop the Plague Flagellanti:Self-inflicted “penance” for our sins!

27. Attempts to Stop the Plague Blame the Jews “Golden Circle” obligatory badge “Jew” hat

29. 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)?