The Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages Decline into Chaos Approximately 500 to 800 Depopulation of cities Decline in trade Decline in literacy Loss of common language

The Early Middle Ages Decline 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 Ages Decline into Chaos Germanic tribes try to carve out their own kingdoms Violence and warfare Population to the point of no return

The High Middle Ages Search 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 Ages Search for Stability Complete schism (separation) with Christians in the Eastern Empire Idea of Christendom emerges

The High Middle Ages Search 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 Ages Search for Stability Viking attacks threaten stability Growing “threat” from Islam

The High Middle Ages Search for Stability Trade begins to grow Population begins to grow Nascent towns form

The Late Middle Ages Victims 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 Ages Victims 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 Ages Victims 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 Ages Victims of Own Success Code of chivalry developed Europe strong enough to begin to look outward Crusades