the middle ages. the early middle ages decline into chaos approximately 500 to 800 depopulation of...
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The Middle Ages
The Early Middle AgesDecline into Chaos
• Approximately 500 to 800
• Depopulation of cities
• Decline in trade
• Decline in literacy
• Loss of common language
The Early Middle AgesDecline into Chaos
• Personal ties replace citizenship
• Christian Church assumes authority– Temporal and spiritual
• Conversion of Germanic tribes
• Beginning of monastic system
Europe in AD 500
The Early Middle AgesDecline into Chaos
• Germanic tribes try to carve out their own kingdoms
• Violence and warfare
• Population to the point of no return
The High Middle AgesSearch for Stability
• Approximately 800 to 1100
• Stability begins to return
• Charlemagne built the first European Empire – AD 800– Holy Roman Empire
• Learning begins to revive
Charlemagne’s Empire ~800
The High Middle AgesSearch for Stability
• Complete schism (separation) with Christians in the Eastern Empire - 1054
• Idea of Christendom emerges
The High Middle AgesSearch for Stability
• Feudal system develops based on land ownership in exchange for protection
• Manor system provides protection
• Serfdom established
• Farming techniques improved
The High Middle AgesSearch for Stability
• Viking attacks threaten stability
• Growing “threat” from Islam
The High Middle AgesSearch for Stability
• Trade begins to grow
• Population begins to grow
• Nascent towns form
The Late Middle AgesVictims of Own Success
• Approximately 1100 to 1400
• Population growth stresses manor system
• Independent towns operate outside of feudal system – causing stress
• Middle class begins to emerge with new wealth (not based on land)- demand rights
The Late Middle AgesVictims of Own Success
• Abuses in church include simony, married priests, illiterate clergy
• Church attempts reforms
• Pope pushes for spiritual empire governed by Canon Law
The Late Middle AgesVictims of Own Success
• Temporal leaders become more powerful – want control over church in their own country
• Conflicts between kings and popes – popes generally dominate (excommunication)
The Late Middle AgesVictims of Own Success
• Code of chivalry developed
• Europe strong enough to begin to look outward
• Crusades