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The Middle Ages Change and Time • Change is a constant throughout history • Historical changes are usually linear and cannot be foreseen • Types of Change: Evolutionary Change: change that happens gradually Revolutionary Change: change that happens rapidly Forces of Change • Even though we cannot foresee historical change we assume that certain forces that affected history in the past will continue to do so in the future. • Types of Forces: Religious Belief Economic Changes Political Changes Social Changes Technological Changes Religious Belief • Religion has always been a strong influence on people • In Middle Ages, Christian teachings dominated Europe • People believed that their main duty was to please God • Other religions taught similar ideals Economic Change • Changes in how people make a living alters society • Middle Ages many workers were needed to grow food • When agriculture became more efficient less demand for workers • The unemployed workers would move to towns and begin to develop other trades Political Change • Today in Canada we have a democratic system of government with the Queen holding a position that is only symbolic • This is a link with past times where kings and queens had almost total power • Our current systems of law and elected parliaments began in the Middle Ages • Political change is change to methods of government and law Social Change • Family is first part of society that we know • Over time relationships change within families as do larger social units like villages, towns, countries, and civilizations • Feudalism was the most important medieval social relationship. This was the relationship between kings and nobles. Technological Change • One of the most important forces of change • These changes impacted agriculture, military, etc. Decline of the Roman Empire • Attacks form various groups played an important role in Rome’s eventual fall • Land-hungry Germanic troops pushed across Europe, looting Roman towns and estates • Over time separate kingdoms emerged • There are several theories about the decline and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire. The Dark Ages • The early middle ages, from A.D. 300 to 1000, also referred to as The Dark Ages • The Dark Ages saw movement of many tribes into the old Roman empire • Also occurring at this time was the conversion of most of the Roman world to Christianity or Islam. Age of Migrations • Rapid change in Roman world after A.D. 300 • Constantine became emperor and legalized Christianity • Moved capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople Age of Migrations • Emperors who followed Constantine could not keep empire together • Attacked by many tribes but none more feared than the Huns (370’s) • Most tribes looked at the western part of the empire as a place to live • By 500 A.D. various German tribes ruled almost all of the West Age of Migrations • Most powerful kingdom in western Europe was that of the Franks. • Charlemagne (768 – 814) most famous ruler • Vikings seized much of modern day England, France, and Ireland • Hungarians rampaged through Germany • About two centuries after Charlemagne's death Europe became more peaceful but never united like Roman times Changes in the East • Roman Empire continued for almost 1000 years • Constantinople was capital • Referred to as the Byzantine Empire • Emperor Justinian (A.D. 527 – 565) developed set of laws called Justinian Code • Justinian Code later became basis for most European law • Justinian Code also basis for Quebec’s legal system Changes in the East • Main challenge to the Byzantine Empire came from Arabia • Prophet called Muhammad, from the city of Mecca, began teaching Islam • Immediately after his death Muhammad’s followers, known as Muslims, conquered Egypt and Syria • By century’s end the Muslims had captured all of the southern parts of the Byzantine Empire Growth of Christianity • Prior to Constantine, Roman emperors killed Jews and Christians who would not give up their faith • Constantine’s Edict of Milan (A.D. 313) allowed anyone to be Christian • Also gave the Church much treasure and land • Christianity became a fashionable religion • The Church made it easy for people to adopt Christian practices Growth of Christianity • The Church made it easy for people to adopt Christian practices Feast called Saturnalia replaced by Christmas Patron saints replaced Roman gods • By A.D. 600 most of the old Roman world were Christian • By A.D. 1000, almost all of Europe had become Christian, and the basic structure of the Church was in place Church Organization • Most important person was the bishop • Bishop had priests to help hold services and deacons to collect money for the poor • All officials were men • Bishop of Rome recognized as most senior • Bishops in very important cities were called arch-bishops • Pope appointed special helpers called cardinals Life in the Dark Ages • Life was chaotic so protection was the greatest need • As a result a system called feudalism developed • Feudalism was the system by which politics, economy, and social life of medieval Europe were organized • Kings gave land and weapons to most loyal followers, the nobles Life in the Dark Ages • Nobles then built fortresses to protect their families and followers • In return the nobles pledged to support the King in war and governing • Noble’s followers were the knights • Knights were given land in exchange for fighting and protecting the nobles • Land was farmed by peasants known as serfs • Serfs were “tied” to the land meaning they had to live there unless allowed to leave Life in the Dark Ages • Living conditions were uncomfortable even for wealthy nobles • Living quarters were small, dark and cramped • Few people could read or write • Very little trade so people had to grow and make what they needed • Very common to have poor crops which made food scarce