Transcript The Middle Ages

Europe and Russia
Part 3
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages
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After the collapse of the Roman Empire, much
of Europe entered the MIDDLE AGES – a time
where knowledge and learning decreased.
Over time, most of Europe broke up into many
different kingdoms.
Most people were poor and uneducated.
Under a system called FEUDALISM, Lords and
Nobles along with the Catholic Church
dominated life.
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The exact dates of the Middle Ages are up for
debate. Many historians think they run roughly
from the fall of Rome in 476 AD, to the end of
the Renaissance and beginning of the
Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s—
approximately 1,000 years.
The Middle Ages are sometimes broken down
into three smaller time frames.
– The Early Middle Ages
– The High Middle Ages
– The Late Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages
Of the three periods, this one is sometimes
called the DARK AGES. It runs from the
5th century to the 10th century, and saw the
aftermath of the fall of Rome, and more
invasions from outside forces such as
Germanic tribes and the Vikings. Western
Europe’s population fell, and trade declined.
At this time, the Islamic movement began on the
Arabian Peninsula, and started to spread into
former Roman lands.
Charles Martel
a.k.a.
Charles the Hammer
“The Hammer” has gone
down in history for being
the leader who stopped
the advance of invading
Muslim forces in France,
therefore helping Europe
to remain Christian.
The Battle of Tours – 732
The High Middle Ages
This time period lasted from the 11th
century to the end of the 13th century. It
saw a rebound in Europe’s population,
military expansion, and the spread of
Christianity. There was also an increase in
ENCASTELLATION , or the number of
castles being built for defensive purposes,
and control over the local population.
Many Castles Remain Throughout Europe
Germany
Slovenia
Scotland
England
Czech Rep.
Romania
Ireland
France
The Crusades
In the 1000s, many Western and Eastern
Europeans wanted to take the city of
Jerusalem and the “Holy Land” back from
the Muslims.
 Christians from all over Europe gathered
to fight the CRUSADES which were
fought between 1095 and 1291.
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The Crusades were a series of wars fought to
retake Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
During and after the Crusades were over,
Europeans were exposed to new goods,
which were brought home with them.
Clothing made from silk and cotton was
introduced. New food items like oranges,
lemons, dates, etc. were introduced. Spices
such as pepper and cinnamon, livened up
the food Europeans were eating. The
desire for products like these and many
others, directly led to Europeans traveling
and trading more often.
Marco Polo and the journeys of his relatives.
Italian cities
such as
Venice and
Genoa were
major centers
of trade, and
became very
wealthy.
The Late Middle Ages
This time period covers approximately the 14th
and 15th centuries. It is noted for being a time
when Europe’s growth and progress slowed
down. It was also a time of famine and disease
which killed off anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of
Europe’s population. Despite these problems,
there was a renewed interest in what the Greeks
and Romans had done, and there was progress in
the area of arts and sciences.
Europe in 1328
The Black
Death
spread
rapidly
between
1348 and
1350.
Could a massive plague return?
The Renaissance
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In the 1300s Europe went through the
RENAISSANCE or rebirth of learning and the
arts.
The influences of Greek and Roman culture
came back.
Writers described human feelings, artists
created lifelike paintings and sculptures, and
architects designed nonreligious buildings.
The Renaissance started in Italy, and
occurred from the 1300s – 1600s.
The Last Supper
The
Mona Lisa
is considered
a masterpiece
of the
Renaissance.
The Break Up of Christianity
In 1054, the Great
Schism took place,
dividing Christianity
into a Western
Branch (Roman
Catholicism), and an
Eastern Branch
(Eastern Orthodoxy).
The divide occurred
for 5 main reasons:
*Doctrine
*Theology
*Language
*Politics
*Geography
The Reformation
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For nearly a thousand years, the Catholic
church had dominated life in Western Europe.
Some people began to question the power and
authority of the Church, and wanted to
“reform” it.
Protests against the church, led to
PROTESTANT churches beginning to flourish
in parts of Europe.
Martin Luther and his 95 Theses, or
questions for the Church.
After the
Reformation,
large
numbers of
Europeans
joined other
Christian
sects.