Middle Ages Research Paper

The Middle Ages had some negative aspects, but so did every other time period in history. Is that a real reason to call it the Dark ages? People might call it the dark ages because that’s all they have heard about that certain time period. All they have heard about is the bad things and nothing about the positive, or the changes from medieval to modern times. People tend to go off information that is just handed to them, but never really go deeper into the situation. The Middle Ages shouldn’t be known for being the “Dark Ages” because there were some progress in several areas. The Middle Ages was time of progress because of the rise of the middle class, the great leaders of Europe at the time, and conversions to Christianity brought the “Dark
Ages” to a point were people started to question if they were actually “Dark”.
As the Middle Ages progressed, the rise of the middle class was increasing, giving the middle class economical and political power.
They had a say of what went on in that sense. Their cities started to grow rapidly, the boundary walls had to be replaced with a bigger border. The increases in size of the middle class because of the peasents were able to move up into the middle class. The nobles were also members of the middle class during this time period. Being in the middle class allowed people to have more freedom and power to make changes. This time period did end, but only to fall right into another one. People think that the going back and forth form different times to different times is what caused the “Dark Ages” to happen. But they just need to look into the bigger picture of what wad really
happening.
As one leader fell, another one stood up, the high Middle Ages took place from 1000-1300. The great leaders of this time period were Henry, Elizabeth, and Louis expanded royal domain. Basically the power built an organized government which had to do with parliament. They began the systems of royal justice which Henry of England first came up with. At the same time they were setting up the tax system which really put the movement on top, getting money or crops from the land owners. What lords and kings also did was give land to nobles and peasants, in exchange for military service and protection as long they were loyal to their king or their lord. This is how they got their armies, which in fact they had one of the largest standing armies. The merchants and towns people also became very connected in exchanging one thing for another, one would strengthen ties and one would give royal rulers support. The merchants, herders and farmers all had rough times with weather, lack of supplies, and laboring. That’s when they started to work for the kings. They would gain protection, all supplies needed, by providing military services and loyalty to the higher power.
The development of Parliament was a huge part of England’s development. A strong legislative that took over the government. The tutors of England worked very well with Parliament. Parliament wasn’t something you would mess with. Parliament was the controller of England’s huge purse. It controlled all the money that England won form wars, of collected taxes, or any income of England. This was a large role in government. This is what helped unify England, in many ways. Parliament had the power to make the monarch meet its demands before voting for taxes. This finally became England’s legislature.
With the falls and regains of Europe had to come with a lot of great leaders. The people who were in power while things were going great and while things were going bad. Charlemagne unified Western Europe, which is now across France, Germany and Italy. He spent most of his time fighting Muslims. When he died, he left his empire with a long lasting legacy. The pope was a great leader when we are talking about Christianity. He was the leader of all church. Charlemagne helped the pope and agreed with the pope, they were buddies. Henry the 8th on the other hand wasn’t, and out of that, we had another religion, but for now that’s not important now. Peter the great, was the leader of Russia, he led them to westernization. He was a curious man who went on a journey to Western Europe and came back with all new modernization for them. From then on Russia became a modern country. Different parts of Europe where always in different states of rule, and different parts were always in different parts of modernization.
Christianity brought the Middle Ages to a whole new level.
The church created social events for its members and brought people closer together. It also brought lots of money to Rome from the taxes. Ten percent of the income would be taken out in taxes and went right to the church. Attending church services became a daily routine for many towns people. At this time the people were getting into something new and at the same time crops were doing well and serfs, lords, and vassals all had there agreements going on. Christianity brought up the economical and social part of Europe and it spread fast. Rulers started making it so that Christianity was the main religion and people started to get executed if they didn’t practice
it.

The “Dark Ages” were not the real dark ages. The rise of the Middle Class, Christianity, and great leaders of Europe helped Europe make it through the tough times. Kings, knights, herders, farmers, nobles, townsmen, peasants, and even serf’s all shared their parts in helping Europe. The invention of the middle class brought improvements because it allowed people to move into a new class and allowed them more freedom. The spread of Christianity committed positively to the economy and population growth. Strong leadership during this time period led to a strong and organized form of government. These changes were improvements which is why the Middle Ages should not be called the Dark Ages.