632 Social Studies Perspectives: 1. What shall we call The Middle Ages? Due March 4th at 8pm. Questions for essays. Due Friday, March 8th by 8 pm

Thursday, February 28, 2013

1. What shall we call The Middle Ages? Due March 4th at 8pm. Questions for essays. Due Friday, March 8th by 8 pm

Essential Question: Which label for the Middle Ages
best describes the era between 500 - 1400 in Europe:
the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith,
or the Golden Age of Europe?

Using your notes fromyour outline and facts from the textbook to answer the question. Make specific connections to the topics we've studied to prove your point.

Be critical, use logic and double check your reasoning.

Next step: Questions for essays. Due Friday, March 8th by 8 pm

Step 1- Read all the comments from the previous assignment.
Step 2- Choose one comment which is thoughtful.
Step 3- First, paraphrase the comment you are responding to: For example: “Ms. Rivera thinks that…”

Then, write a question about the chosen comment. The question must be: clear, sincere, useful and be the sort of question which leads to more questions. The question you write must complicate the comment’s argument, make the reader of the comment you are questioning think deeper. Stir up some intellectual trouble.

75 comments:

AnonymousMarch 4, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Have you ever wondered what to call the Middle Ages? The end of the Middle Ages ended with a war,plague and a famine. Well, I personally would call it the Dark Ages. I would call it that because the time was very sad and dangerous and very contagious.
I would call it the Dark Ages because it was a very depressing time for people. There was a plague called the Black Death which killed seven five million people in Europe. It also took Europe one hundred fifty to recover years to recover from this very dangerous disease. Also no cure was ever found for this disease. Also the oldest , youngest and poorest died first because they didn't have enough money to be taken care of and treated in some way they could.
I would call it the Dark Ages also because it was very dangerous. During the Black Death rats and crows were poisonous and carried the disease. People with the disease were even burned alive . The most dangerous part was that medical knowledge was limited during this time period. During this disease the weakest people died much quicker than others.
The worst part is that Europe and Asia were in great danger. The Black Death killed about ⅖ of Europe’s and Asia’s population in less than five years. As I have said before it took Europe and Asia one hundred fifty years to recover from this deadly disease called the Black Death.
Now you can see why i choose to call the Middle Ages the Dark Ages. Now its time for you to decide what you will call it!
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AnonymousMarch 4, 2013 at 4:54 PM
IS234 Bryon Bartholomew
632 3/ 4/2013

Social Studies Essay

In my opinion, the label for the Middle Ages that best describes the era between 500 - 1400 in Europe is the Age of Feudalism. At that time, feudalism was the main way Europeans lived. Feudalism is the trade of land for military force.
There were different events in the Middle Ages that were important. Around the year of 500, Christianity began to spread. They started a crusade, or war with the Muslims. They were trying to convert them, or destroy any enemy that would not convert. They also had missionaries go out to teach about Christianity. It led to them being able to spread Christianity around the world.
In addition, there were important political changes in the Middle Ages. Changes that happened in England affected all of Europe. In the Middle Ages, the government was very weak. In 1066, this all changed when William the Conqueror overthrew the king of England. He used his power to make the government strong. Even with all that, feudalism still existed. Even with the religious and political events.

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AnonymousMarch 4, 2013 at 5:06 PM
I believe the best label for the Middle Ages that describes the era between 500-1400 in Europe, is the Dark Ages. An example why the middle ages should be called the Dark Ages, is because of the Black death and The Crusades.
The Black Death killed many people. The Black death killed 75 to 200 million people. It may have reduced world population from an estimated 450 million to between 350 and 375 million in 1400. Half of Paris’s population of 100,000 people died Europe and Asia were in great danger because of the decrease of population. People thought it was the end of the world so when they moved they brought the disease with them. People believed it was the black rats that caused the Black Death, the causes were a bacterium called Yersinia Pestis. The oriental rat flea carries this bacterium, and lives on the backs of rats. Within a few days victims often died in agony. People who were still alive were very ill, some did not even get better. The symptoms of the Black Death was people started to have difficulties breathing and there skin and flesh turn black. Persecution started to happen. Europeans targeted various groups such as Jews, foreigners, beggars and pilgrims, thinking that they were the blame for the Black Death. In February of 1349 the citizens of Strasbourg killed 2,000 Jews. It took 150 years for Europe’s population to recover. The Crusades killed many people. The Crusades cut off heads of enemies, others were shot with a bow and arrows.
The Black Death and The Crusades were a great example to why the Middle Ages should be called the Dark Ages. In the Black Death many people died because of this disease and in The Crusades many people were killed.
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alan gitelmanMarch 4, 2013 at 6:03 PM
I.S.234 Alan Gitelman
Class: 632 03/02/13
The Age of Feudalism
The years 500 to 1400 pretty much includes the full Middle Ages or Medieval period. Usually Dark Ages is associated with the early part of that period due to the time off of any form of organized political structure outside the local or manorial level, and the want of a defining cultural theme. The later Medieval period with its Crusades, gothic cathedrals, universities, and royal rulers was not so dark. Of the choices given, I would choose the Age of Feudalism because it is the most complete for the full 900 year span, one political and one cultural. Also I would choose the Age of Feudalism because the one uniting influence across all of Europe was its common faith, giving that continent the name of Christendom. It was in the monasteries and abbeys that classical knowledge was preserved and no king served without papal blessing. Eventually it was the pope who unified many of the feudal lords with his demand for a return of the Holy Lands, starting the Crusades, putting Europe in contact with the East and thought-provoking interest in trade and expansion. From the fall of Rome to the Renaissance and Improvement, Europe was held together by the strong but small part of its common Christian belief.
For safety and for defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land. These manors were isolated, with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or soldiers from other fiefdoms. In this "feudal" system, the king awarded land grants or "fiefs" to his most important nobles, his barons, and his bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies. At the lowest
level of society were the peasants, also called "serfs". In exchange for living and working on his land, known as the "demesne," the lord offered his peasants protection.
In the my opinion by the end of the Middle Ages what name really sums up the Gothic Cathedrals, Crusades, and even the political 900 year span would probably be the Age of Feudalism.

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alan gitelmanMarch 4, 2013 at 6:09 PM
nice essay
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Ms. FrederickMarch 5, 2013 at 5:12 AM
Bhavani

Middle Ages
The time from 500 AD to 1400 AD is called the middle ages. This period was marked by sufferings, years of wars, famine, deadly diseases like the black death. This period could be called the Dark Ages due to all these reasons. But this period could also be called “The age of Feudalism” as there was a raise of feudalism after the fall of Rome followed by disorder and anarchy. However, this was also the time when people had faith in God and the religion and it was believed man’s role in life is to serve God. Christian catholic churches provided spiritual direction. Many religious leaders in churches were powerful than the politicians. However some call it the age of Golden Europe which is not fully justified in my opinion because even though the renaissance started in late fourteenth century in Italy it was not very successful till the sixteenth century. So what label correctly describes the middle ages? Perhaps every one of them. In my opinion it would be the “Age of Faith”
After the fall of the Roman Empire there was not a single government which ruled the entire European continent. At this time the church provided the much needed direction and support that the leaders and common people required. The church had power over all of Europe and Popes had power to start or stop a war. People were willing to fight for the church. Everyone in a village or town was influenced by the monastery, priest and the bishop. Also they had to give 10% of their earnings to the church and the church did not pay back their taxes. This means they became very rich and powerful. People were willing to fight wars called “The Crusades” to spread the Christian religion and to reclaim the holy land in Jerusalem. Everyone from the nobles to the pheasants who never fought in a war before were willing to fight to take back Jerusalem. Though many people lost their lives in this war they were ready to do so to protect their religion. During this period another way to show their faith is to build huge architecture called cathedrals. They were the largest buildings and were usually built in the center of the town in Romanesque style and later in the Gothic style. These cathedrals took years and years to build and they were masterpieces. However, no one took credit for all this work because it was done for the god and the religion. It was not for individual glory
These evidences show that it is appropriate to call the Middle Ages the “Age of Faith”. Study of Middle Ages history often provides ideas about how people lived long time before and what mistakes they made and what good things we can learn from them. It helps us understand their life style and the way they did things then. It also shows why the middle ages lead to the renaissance.
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Ms. FrederickMarch 5, 2013 at 1:13 PM
Dylan R.

Essay on what middle ages should be called

In medieval times it was called many names the age of faith the golden ages. I think it should be called the dark ages. I think it should because time was unfair. There was no fair laws of treason and execution. Also there were no accurate doctor to treat diseases they blood let or let them bleed thinking it would cure but just made it worse. Finally it should be called the dark agrees because of plague and diseases. If a man from modern time saw what these people did he would laugh and laugh about how crazy medieval times were. It should also be called the dark ages because it had very very depressing people. Also during the black death in the dark ages rats and cows and other animals were poisonous and carried diseases spread to people leading to there skin turning black and incurable death. This ended 1/5 to 3/5 of lives of Europe and Asia it was very sad. This concludes my essay on I think medieval times should be called the dark ages.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 2:09 PM
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Cunningham Julia Khanunov
Class 632 March 5, 2012

The Dark Ages
Have you ever wondered what other names were used to describe the Middle Ages? The Middle Ages were also known as the Dark Ages because of the the terrible which spread throughout Europe, which was known as the Black Death.
The Dark Ages was a very dark time. People who were plagued by the Black Death were burned alive so the disease would not spread. Almost 75-300 million people died during the Dark Ages and there was no cure for this disease. At first, people thought it was the Jewish people who spread the disease, but, in fact, it was black street rats who carried it in their fur.
It was a very sad time for the people as well. Families were lost, and half the place where they lived was gone. Medical knowledge was limited. Some people even committed suicide because they couldn't take it anymore. Other people tried to go to their King and ask for help, but he always reject them. In conclusion, the Middle Ages were known also as the Dark Ages for this deadly disease.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 2:56 PM
I.S234 ZainabFarooq
632 March,3,2013
Age Of Faith
Muslim have faith in god.My position in this issue is that my idea of the name that fits the middle ages is the age of faith.In the the time were war was going on a beautiful religon begon.Arabia was in war and a relion of peace was used to fight people.this is age is when people need to have faith in god beacase the people were dieing so the people had only one choice have faith in god and belive that every thing was going to be alright and not worry they no other choice but to have faith.
An other way this th age o faith beacause at this muslim science rose .Muslim astromers devolped a seris of instirements they used to measure the stars.In conculoision I think that if muslim science and rise of islam we should call it the age of faith.What do you think we should call it.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Jeb Tabatadze

Middle Ages

The middle ages can be called many things like Dark ages, golden age of Europe or other names. The one I would call it is the Dark Ages.I say that because there were a lot of people dying and there were a lot of wars.
The crusades were actually a series of 9 religious wars.So many Muslims died.There was a very good reason for the crusaders,the Catholics,to do this.The reason was that the Muslims took the holy land which was were Jesus was born.Then the Muslims said no and then the crusades began.Unfortunately the Muslims had to many people and the crusades were just to kill people and get nothing out of it,well they did try to get their land back.
The second reason that I call it the dark ages is that there was a disease called the black death.The black death mainly started because of rats and fleas.The rats came from the ship and the fleas were carried from the hay or the rats.When the hay was carried off the ships they would carry on to a man.Later on the person would carry the disease and would die.This began in central and eastern Asia,so many people died so quickly that the people sent special carts to gather and carry the bodies.This expanded because there was garbage and dirty areas in the town that was basically the rats home.People dig very deep holes that had to be buried.Often there weren't any people to carry the dead bodies because they would probably be dead to.People started to get scared and left town which spread the black death even further which wasn't good.
Another reason I called it the dark ages was because of the cathedrals that were built.They were mainly built because of the crusades.They were built very tall and had those very dark looking statues.The cathedrals were dark looking buildings.
Those are the reasons I think the middle ages should be called the dark ages.
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UnknownMarch 5, 2013 at 4:20 PM
The "Dark Ages" of Europe.

There was times back then, which we’re called the Medieval Ages. There are arguments on such topic of what the “medieval ages” should be called, this is one of them. The “Dark Ages” would work best as a name for the Medieval Ages.
One reason it should be that way is because of the fact that there was a plague stretching across all of Europe during that time, it was named the “Black Death”. During the period of the plague year 1348 through 1350, lots of people caught it and died, those who did we’re even burned alive and buried alive. Also, people believed it was the issue that rats we’re around and it was the rats themselves who caused the plague. It was a bacteria declassified as “Yersinia Pestis”, which was known and caused by rat flea’s in which infected humans and animals. It killed 30 through 60 percent of Europe’s population.
Another reason that supports this argument is due to the facts that during times like that, there we’re crusades led by a leader, and it’s only purpose was to control and take, AKA, command and conquer for territory. During these campaigns of war, lots of men died and men who was an enemy to the other faction of the crusades we’re taken and tortured not just that, but the Fall of Rome led to Anarchy, and that caused chaos all over Europe, they we’re split into 2 parts, Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire. The two was then on continuous attack by Germanic barbarian tribes such as the Visiogoths and Ostrogoths, it led to more parts of the two empires being split causing chaos and anarchy through Europe. It was so bloody that when the people died, there we’re so many that there weren’t enough space to bury the bodies. The Visigoths took control of all the riches Rome had and because of that, it led to famine and disability of military protection due to no payment going to the knights providing that protection.
Lastly, there was the coliseum in which people we’re thrown into a battle to the death. It was an unfair way of judgment that when people who we’re condemned even though they’re innocent, they we’re thrown into battle without armor and then most likely killed by the other gladiators unless they get lucky or is really strong. When they we’re knocked out, they’re lying on the sands bleeding to death. It was considered a painful way to execute someone that either wronged or didn’t commit crimes against the Roman Empire, or in other words, unfairly treated.
This concludes my answer to the argument of how and why the medieval ages should be called the “Dark Ages”, and how it will help and inform reader’s of how during the time period, it was dark and unfair in which cruelty of kings we’re active in Europe and the serious plagues that led to hundred thousands of deaths throughout Europe.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:26 PM
Alison W 632
My opinion on the label that the middle ages should have is the Age of Feudalism. I feel this way because I think it is pretty important to learn about it. The Feudal system was sustained by the rights and privileges given to upper classes. If a noble was made a prisoner of war, his life was saved by nobility. The Feudal system of rights of safe convoy was important. A right of which humans had the greatest interest. Everything was a source of privilege there they had about a thousand pretexts.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:28 PM
Zahra Jamil 632
Cunningham/I.S234
The Middle Ages:
The Middle Ages is one of the most turbulent periods in English History. With the evidence provided by many historians I can distinguish that it was dark ages.“When the term "Dark Ages" is used by historians today, therefore, it is intended to be neutral, namely, to express the idea that the events of the period often seem "dark" to us because of the paucity of historical records compared with both earlier and later times”. It is because all the live’s of all the classes was dominated by the feudal system and by using religions to have wars. Life in the Middle Ages also include an entertainment section and Medieval sports providing the History, Facts and Information about the sports and games played during the time of Middle Ages according to a historian gatterpit flip.
Christianity in Europe was also used once to kill many Jewish and muslim people. “Also many quantity of barbarian tribes destroyed many of the buildings and works of art that survived from Roman times. Only in monasteries, cathedrals and palace schools was knowledge preserved and there were very few monasteries left.” Also by using this evidence I can acknowledge that it was a time when many people died, suffered, feared, and lost many of their properties The Dark Ages were to rule over Europe until about 1000 A.D because after that Europe was in age of faith and golden ages because from that point onn miracles were happening in Europe.
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UnknownMarch 5, 2013 at 4:45 PM
Nice essay, I don't know what questions to ask because it's well organized and gives specific details on each reason about the topic you're arguing to.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:46 PM
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM
The Dark Age
I believe that throughout the medieval period or 500 ace – 1400 ace it was the age of darkness for many reasons. For example, many people’s blood was spilled while there were crusades. Since there were 9 crusades a lot of people died. This is when the Christian culture was used for bad deed in history. All were order by the pope a holy ruler. They fought for the city of Jerusalem which was captured by the Muslims. For some reason Jews were hated throughout history also in crusades. The knights killed thousands of Jews in each crusade. There was very little light back then so it was dark in some places, people couldn’t see well in the dark. Also a very harsh deceases had happened in the medieval time called the Black Death. It wiped out about 75 million people. The people got these big black, dark boils on their skin which very bad 4 the body. They ended up dyeing from this decease. These where some hard and upsetting moments.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:50 PM
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:54 PM
Christine Hulse 632

We could call the middle ages (between 500-1400) many things like The dark ages, The age of feudalism, the age of faith, or the golden age of faith. I think that we should call it The Dark Ages because it was a disease that killed many people. It started in Asia, when travelers came from China.
The black death was one of the most depressing times in history.
Between 75 and 200 million people were killed because of this disease. The black death went to Europe. When this disease caught someone their skin was dying and even turned black. Some people were even burned alive because of the black death. The worst part was that no cure was ever found for this disease.
The bloody crusades was a bunch of wars in Asia MInor and the Levant between 1095 and 1291. The first crusade was the pope's attempt to recover the Holy Lands from the Muslims. Any christian pilgrim who wanted to visit the Holy Land had to be very careful since, the Muslims did not like the Christians. They believed that anyone who fought or died in the crusade was going to have all their sins forgiven by God. Seven large armies had to march to the Holy Lands. The armies had to march through the powerful heat of the plains and snow of the mountains to get to the Holy Lands. The armies were soon to run out of food and when they finally ran out of food they were forced to take over villages to get what they needed. The Jerusalem had high walls and around them was dry with no water in sight. The Genoese used the wood to build siege engines. The Genoese were able to breach the walls and the other crusades followed the rest of them. Only a few lives were spared. The Jews and Muslims filled the streets with a ''river of blood one foot deep''. The crusades got what they wanted and had the Holy Land.
All in all, this is why i think that the middle ages should not be called anything else except, for The Dark Ages, because of all the tragic that people had to go through during The Black Death and The Bloody Crusades. This is why i think that we should call the middle ages The Dark Ages.
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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:57 PM
The Black Ages
Have you ever wondered what we should call the middle ages?Should we call it the dark ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith,
or the Golden Age of Europe?My position on the issue is the dark ages and I will explain why.
The Black Death struck people and took its victims from all walks of society. King Edward III (1312 – 1377) was King of England during the terrible period of the plague. Edward had arranged a marriage for his favourite daughter Joan Plantagenet. Joan was born in February 1335 in Woodstock. Joan was to marry King Pedro of Castille, the son of Alfonso XI and Maria of Portugal. The marriage was to take place in Castille. Joan (sometimes referred to as Joanna ) left England with the blessing of her parents. The Black Death had not yet taken its hold in England and its first victims had only been claimed in France in August 1348. Joan travelled through France and contracted the deadly disease. She died on 2 Sep 1348 in Bayonne of the Black Death.
In the 14th century (the 1300's), a horrible disease struck Asia, Africa, and Europe. The people called this illness the Black Death. The disease started in Asia in the 1340's. It quickly spread to Africa, and throughout Europe.Infected people first broke out with red ring shaped marks with dark center spots on their arms and necks. They would run high fevers. They became even more ill, and then they died.In just two years, 25 million people died of the plague. In ten years, the plague had killed over 1/3 of Europe's population.People were sick everywhere. Whole families were wiped out. Whole villages were wiped out.At first, people locked their doors trying to protect themselves. They carried flowers to ward off the smell of the dead and dying. The skies were filled with ashes as people burned houses filled with the dead. Villages filled with the dead were burned down, to contain and kill the disease. Nothing worked. Outbreaks of the disease seemed to come in cycles. Just as people thought it was over, a new rash of illness would hit the towns, and from the towns move to the villages. People did not know that infected rats carried the disease. They thought it was a punishment from God for being wicked. They believed if you were bad, you would get the plague and die.

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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Haroon Mirza 632
Cunningham/I.S.234
The Dark Ages:
The Dark Ages was the first part of the Middle Ages.The Dark Ages was the most terrifying event in European History. People were dyeing of diseases. It killed 75 to 200 million people! The black death also killed 30% to 60% of the European population. It took 150 years for Europe to recover from the Black death. It started in China or Central Asia and moved on.
As you can see, the Dark Ages was the most terrifying event in European history.

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AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Jada McDowe
632

The label for the Middle Ages should be the Dark Ages because life during these times was just dark and brutal. Many people were dying and life was just unbearable.

Let's start with the main reason why people were dying, that is, the Bubonic Plague. This deadly disease along with the fact that there were were no doctors and no cure caused a lot of sadness and death during this time.

The disease started with poisonous fleas from rats that were plentiful during that time. The fleas would bite humans who then would catch the disease. No one knew the cause of the disease and no one had a cure, so immediately the disease began to spread like wild fire.

People who tried to leave an area that had the disease would end up getting the disease and spreading it in their new location, so this caused the disease to spread even further. There were dead bodies in the street because there was no place to bury them. Imagine the smell? Ugh! People began to think it was the end of the world.

Now does this sound like a Golden Age or Age of Faith to you? Does this sound like an age that you would want to live? I think not! I know New York has a lot of rats but at least they don't have the Bubonic Plague!
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AnonymousMarch 7, 2013 at 6:24 PM
nice essay i also think it was the dark ages
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AnonymousMarch 7, 2013 at 7:07 PM
i see that you have chosen the dark age as the time period.i like that u included that there was a lot of violence.for example the crusades and the rats. awesome essay
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