Middle Ages
Definition
The Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period, is a historical era in Europe that lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and transitioned into the Renaissance and Age of Discovery.
Analogy
Think of the Middle Ages like your school's football game halftime. Just like how halftime falls between two halves of a game, the Middle Ages falls between two significant periods - Ancient History (the first half) and Modern History (the second half). It's not just an intermission; important strategies are developed during this time that can change the course of history or, in our analogy, the game.
Related terms
Feudalism: A hierarchical system where land was granted by lords to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty during Middle Ages.
Crusades: A series of religious wars sanctioned by Latin Church in medieval period with a goal to reclaim Holy Land from Muslim rule.
Black Death: An epidemic outbreak of bubonic plague in Europe during late Middle Ages which resulted in massive population decline.
"Middle Ages" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (10)
- What significant cultural shift distinguished the Renaissance from the Middle Ages?
- What principle was continuously adhered to during both the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods in Europe?
- Which social structure from the Middle Ages persisted throughout the Renaissance period?
- How did art change between the Middle Ages and the Northern Renaissance?
- Which of the following best describes a main reason Europeans began exploring overseas during the late Middle Ages?
- What event began in Europe during the late Middle Ages that played a significant role in ending feudalism?
- Which trend established during the Middle Ages continued during the Catholic Reformation?
- Which major shift in thinking marked the transition from the Middle Ages to the Scientific Revolution in Europe?
- What major shift distinguished science during the Enlightenment from science during Middle Ages?
- Why could a historical situation limit the use(s) of a primary source discussing the rise of global markets in Europe during the Middle Ages?
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