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THE MIDDLE AGES: SYNOPSIS
USE THIS WEBSITE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS: http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages
1. What time period does the term “Middle Ages” refer to?
The Middle Ages refers to the time period from 476 CE to the beginning of the 14th century.
2. How were the Middle Ages viewed by those living in Renaissance? Why?
Those that were living in the Renaissance said that the Middle Ages were a time where no scientific accomplishments were made, no great art was produced, no great leaders were born; and then they went into the time that people call “barbarism and religion.”
3. How has the Middle Ages been viewed by some historians from today’s perspective?
Historians from today view the Middle Ages era as complex and vibrant, just like any other.
4. Following the “Fall of the Western Roman Empire”, what group/institution became the most powerful in Europe?
After the fall of Rome, no single state or government united the people who lived on the European continent. Instead, the Catholic Church became the most powerful institution of the medieval period. Kings, queens and other leaders derived much of their power from their alliances with and protection of the Church.
5. What was the “tithe”? How did it affect the Church’s power/wealth?
Ordinary people across Europe had to “tithe” 10 percent of their earnings each year to the Church; at the same time, the Church was mostly exempt from taxation. These policies helped it to amass a great deal of money and power.
6. What can be said about the Islamic World with regard to power/influence and sophistication? Explain.
The Islamic world was growing larger and more powerful. After the Prophet Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Muslim armies conquered large parts of the Middle East, uniting them under the rule of a single caliph. At its height, the medieval Islamic world was more than three times bigger than all of Christendom.
7. What were the Crusades? Why were so many
USE THIS WEBSITE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS: http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages
1. What time period does the term “Middle Ages” refer to?
The Middle Ages refers to the time period from 476 CE to the beginning of the 14th century.
2. How were the Middle Ages viewed by those living in Renaissance? Why?
Those that were living in the Renaissance said that the Middle Ages were a time where no scientific accomplishments were made, no great art was produced, no great leaders were born; and then they went into the time that people call “barbarism and religion.”
3. How has the Middle Ages been viewed by some historians from today’s perspective?
Historians from today view the Middle Ages era as complex and vibrant, just like any other.
4. Following the “Fall of the Western Roman Empire”, what group/institution became the most powerful in Europe?
After the fall of Rome, no single state or government united the people who lived on the European continent. Instead, the Catholic Church became the most powerful institution of the medieval period. Kings, queens and other leaders derived much of their power from their alliances with and protection of the Church.
5. What was the “tithe”? How did it affect the Church’s power/wealth?
Ordinary people across Europe had to “tithe” 10 percent of their earnings each year to the Church; at the same time, the Church was mostly exempt from taxation. These policies helped it to amass a great deal of money and power.
6. What can be said about the Islamic World with regard to power/influence and sophistication? Explain.
The Islamic world was growing larger and more powerful. After the Prophet Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Muslim armies conquered large parts of the Middle East, uniting them under the rule of a single caliph. At its height, the medieval Islamic world was more than three times bigger than all of Christendom.
7. What were the Crusades? Why were so many