1. The “Middle Ages” of Europe 400 AD – 1500 AD
Learning Target:
I can describe the events following the Fall of Rome in Europe. I can define the terms “Middle Ages” or “Medieval Period” and describe why some historians refer to this period as the Dark Ages.

2. To what does “Middle Ages” refer?
When the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe lost its center of power and a new period of history began.
That period, called the Middle Ages, is the period between ancient and modern times.
Sometimes, this period is also called the Medieval Times. Medieval comes from the Latin for “middle age”.

3. Two Middle Ages Historians split the time period.
The Early Middle Ages
400 – 1000 AD
Most believe the time period starts with the Fall of Rome (476 AD)
The Later Middle Ages
1000 – 1500 AD
Most believe the period ends with Columbus landing in the Americas (1492 AD)

4. Why was this time period once called the “Dark Ages”?
Historians once called the early middle ages the “Dark Ages” because they focused on the problems of the time:
Lack of a central government
Widespread disease (plague)
Long religious wars
Little access to education
Lack of technological or cultural development

5. Key Developments/Events of the Middle Ages
Spread and Growth of Christianity
Reign of Famous Kings and Start of New Empires
Development of Feudalism
New Economic System = Manor System
The Crusades
Growth of Democratic Thought
The Black Death