Western Europe During The Middle Ages Dbq

When people associate things with the word “dark” there mainly referring to things that are evil, bad or have an evil look. So when you put the label “Dark ages” on the Middle ages, you make the assumption that it was not a good time. But you’d be mistaken, it was completely the opposite. Though not much revolution took place in the early Middle Ages, the people were happy and content, and "the Dark Ages" just doesn’t fit with that, it’s not a accurate label to put on the Middle Ages.

There is many examples of evidence to support how Europe wasn’t in a dark age. To support this claim there are some examples. The Government ,The Rise of University, and the Gothic Cathedrals shows that Europe was not in a dark age. One reason Europe was not in a dark age was because if it was in a dark age they wouldn't know to stand up for themselves. They also had a lot of money, even though King John took it all proving that they were not in a dark age.They were also beginning to request laws so they can have some rights. According to the Black Death Documents,"To all free men of our kingdom we have also granted, for us and to our heirs for ever, all the liberties written out below, to have and to keep for them and their heirs.”Another

First, “The Dark Ages” was the time that followed the collapse of the Western Roman Empire but before the Renaissance from the 5th to 15th century. Very few writings survived during the Dark Ages, so most believe that people during this time were illiterate;

Another title that the Middle Ages deserve is the label Dark Ages because during the Middle Ages, there was constant chaos and destruction that plagued Western Europe. After the collapse of Rome, the invasions did not end there. The invasions continued throughout the Middle Ages by different groups and tribes. For example, during the ninth and tenth century, the Moor invasions have taken over the South and the Hungarians invaded the Eastern provinces. Both invasion groups sacked villages, held captives, burned down religious buildings, and left a path of destruction while many citizens that escaped took refuge in the mountains or deep forests (doc 1). Also during the invasions of the Moor and Hungarians, the Northmen struck terror in England. The plundered, burned towns, and returned home with boats filled with gold, people, and resources (doc. 3). However, that was not the end of all the chaos during the Middle Ages. During the 14th century, the black death hit Western Europe, which ended up wiping out 1/3 of the population and a body count of over 25 million by the end of the sixteenth century (OI). Consequently, because of the constant chaos and destruction from invasions and plague, little to no development was possible. This slowed down Western Europe's advancements and growth. The

In the 1300s, Petrarch, an Italian Scholar used the term "dark ages" which applied "dark" and "light" to describe the period. Historians kept wondering " Was Europe really in a dark age from 500 to 1500"? The ongoing argument involves events such as the Crusades, The Black Death, the signing of the Magna Carta, and the building of universities and cathedrals. But although, there was destruction and prosper. While Europe had long lasting improvements, it was still a lot of destruction, during this period.

Europe was in a Dark Age because they went through tragic and disastrous events. Such as the crusades and the black death. The Crusades shows that Europe was in a dark age because there is war, violence, and chaos. According to Document A, “ Some of our

Europe was seen as being in a Dark Age. It is known as a time where there were wars, disease, and pure chaos. The term “dark age” was coined by Francesco Petrarch, who compared it to the classical period before the dark age, which was full of innovation. He came up with this because during 500 to 1500 A.D it was utter chaos, death and war, and people were brutally killed and slaughtered. In the year 1095 A.D., the Black Death was in full swing and the Crusaders were set out to capture the Holy Land and conquer the Muslim Turks. The people were set out for blood and it caused several crusades for two whole centuries. Europe has been through war and sickness. Because of the economic structure of Europe during the time, this can be seen as a dark age.

A " dark age" is a period when violence and wars plus a lots of disease. Some historians call the period from 500 AD to 1500 AD in Europe a " dark age" because the black death and the crusades. The Magna Carta and the universities. The majority of the evidence will show that it was the dark age.

The “Dark Ages” means a time of violence, no innovation, lack of educated people, small population and isolated communities, lots of disease, no new building projects, war, lack of trade, chaos and anarchy, famine, and political instability. The person who coined it was Petrarch, a french scholar who compared it to the classical period. The beginning of the dark ages was during 500 AD which lasted until 1500 AD. During this time period the most famous events was the “The Crusades” and “Black Death.” During this period Europe was clearly in a “Dark Age.”

The Black Death was a major part of Europe being in a dark age. The Black death is a huge example of Disease, which proves that Europe was a dark age. According to the Black Death Document A, it states,“In all the city there was nothing to do but carry the deed to a burial.” This proves that many people died due to the Black Death. As well as the Black Death, the crusades also contributed to Europe being a dark age. The crusades were a religious war between the Christians and Muslims. According to Document A, “Some of our men (and this was more merciful) cut off the heads of their enemies; others shot them with arrows, so that they fell from the towers.” With this evidence you can see

The American Cyclopaedia describes The Dark Ages as a “period of intellectual depression in the history of Europe.” This means that the term The Dark Ages was just another name for the early middle ages in Europe. There wasn’t much evidence about the time available, historians didn’t know much about it and so they say that the period was “in the dark.” Over time, people began using it as a term for all the middle ages. Instead of basing these theories off of their lack of information, historians just assumed that the people and life at the time were “dark” also. Now they have discovered more documents from that time, and so it isn’t seeming as “dark” anymore.

Historians used the term “Dark” to describe The Middle Ages centuries ago for many reasons, including political turmoil, social unrest, and the spread of diseases such as the bubonic plague. The term “Dark Ages” also originates from a belief that the previous century lacked knowledge and social progression. Due to the lack of advancements in society and the fall of the Roman Empire, many people lived their lives in fear and resources were scarce. However, throughout the 1,000 years this century was present, approximately 500-1500 A.D, a huge social change occurred for the Europeans leading into the start of the Italian Renaissance.

The Dark Ages were the entire period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance; they were in fact the start of universities and scientific foundations. During medieval times, mainly right after the fall of Rome, society had a fairly hard time; trying to figure out what to do, many peasants started to farm. Society prospered from what they could personally grow and harvest, and whatever animals they could use, both for hard work and for food. All of this went relatively well, until the plague, or Black Death, happened in all of Europe, especially England. Millions of people died and those who survived were badly scarred. However, during the time of the plague, the Catholic religion flourished. Thus creating the second bright spot during the Dark Ages. Priests prayed for the well being of both the sick and the healthy, and many people converted to Catholicism as well. Additionally, during the dark ages, education for peasants was hard to come by since it was reserved for royalty, and church hierarchy. However, towards the end of the thirteenth century the Church started offering education for children from common homes as well. Plus, many scientific foundations came in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In fact some scientists, such as Aristotle, helped find new discoveries, and medicines for disease. As one can see the "dark ages," were not dark, but the start of something bright, that no one during that time would ever forget for years to come.

One of the reasons why Europe in the 400 to 1400 wasn't a “dark age” is how there was access to enough food, tools, and farmland. One piece of evidence that shows that farmland and food were available is in a textbook called, World History Before 1600: The Development of Early Civilization. One excerpt states, “From 1000 to 1300, the economy of Europe developed and prospered. Available farmland tripled, and the food supply increased notably” (Doc B). Also,

After the fall of the Roman Empire at the end of the 5th Century Europe drastically changed. Europe entered what we now refer to as the Early Middle ages or the Dark Ages. The Dark ages were a time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Italian Renaissance. There was a widespread collapse in learning throughout this time. Literacy practically disappeared and the evolution of lordship emerged.