DBQ Essay: The Dark Ages
During 500-1500 almost everybody was thinking that this time in Europe was a bad time . A time of decline and hate, lack of food, money, population, trade, etc. also known as the "Dark Ages". The term Dark Ages was created by wise man named Petrarch. Now days people can argue that it was a growth age.
This was not a "dark age" because of many changes. For example the Magna Carta. According to document A "No man shall be forced to preform more service for a knight's 'fee', or other free holding of land, than is due from it". This was a big affect because if this did not happen probably nobody would have the freedom that they do. Also in document F the architecture increased. "Notre Dame is 420 feet long, 226 feet wide and, and its two towers
are 226 feet high. Common features of gothic cathedrals included architecture innovations, including: large columns, high ceilings with ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows". Because of all these changes Europe is not in a dark age.
Although in some places Petrarch was right like in document D there was a huge money loss." In all places, in all states, and in all markets, the new denarii shall be exchanged as money and be received by all... if any one refuses to negotiate a purchase of a sale, they can bring the case before the king." In document B proved that Europe lacked a lot of positives at this time. "Europe suffered a decline in trade and manufacturing in education, in literature and the arts, and in almost all that makes it possible to have a successful civilization." It also became dangerous for travelers."There were so many highway robbers that travel became dangerous." These evidence show that Europe was struggling through the "dark age".
Most people thought that during 500-1500 was "dark" Now, some people can argue that it was a time of growth. From what this paper states, 500-1500 was a growth age. It looks like Petrarch was wrong after all. Medieval Europe was not a dark age, but a growth age.
This was not a "dark age" because of many changes. For example the Magna Carta. According to document A "No man shall be forced to preform more service for a knight's 'fee', or other free holding of land, than is due from it". This was a big affect because if this did not happen probably nobody would have the freedom that they do. Also in document F the architecture increased. "Notre Dame is 420 feet long, 226 feet wide and, and its two towers
are 226 feet high. Common features of gothic cathedrals included architecture innovations, including: large columns, high ceilings with ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows". Because of all these changes Europe is not in a dark age.
Although in some places Petrarch was right like in document D there was a huge money loss." In all places, in all states, and in all markets, the new denarii shall be exchanged as money and be received by all... if any one refuses to negotiate a purchase of a sale, they can bring the case before the king." In document B proved that Europe lacked a lot of positives at this time. "Europe suffered a decline in trade and manufacturing in education, in literature and the arts, and in almost all that makes it possible to have a successful civilization." It also became dangerous for travelers."There were so many highway robbers that travel became dangerous." These evidence show that Europe was struggling through the "dark age".
Most people thought that during 500-1500 was "dark" Now, some people can argue that it was a time of growth. From what this paper states, 500-1500 was a growth age. It looks like Petrarch was wrong after all. Medieval Europe was not a dark age, but a growth age.