Medieval History Overview

Time Period: Roughly 5th to late 15th century.
Key Characteristics:
- Feudal system: Land ownership was tied to loyalty and service; lords and vassals.
- The Rise of the Catholic Church: Dominated spiritual life and politics.
- Crusades (1096-1291): Military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.
- Black Death (1347-1351): Plague that killed a significant portion of Europe's population, leading to social and economic changes.
- Chivalry and knighthood: Code of conduct associated with the knightly class.
Cultural Highlights:
- Gothic architecture: Characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses (e.g., Notre Dame).
- Literature: Notable works include “The Divine Comedy” by Dante and “The Canterbury Tales” by Chaucer.
- Art: Focus on religious themes; notable artists include Giotto and Fra Angelico.

Time Period: Late 15th century to present.
Key Characteristics:
- The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries): A cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival in Europe; humanism emerged.
- Age of Exploration (15th-17th centuries): European powers explored and colonized new lands; notable explorers include Columbus and Magellan.
- Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries): Major technological advancements transformed economies; shift from agrarian to industrial.
- World Wars:
  - WWI (1914-1918): Causes include nationalism, militarism, and alliances; significant loss of life and political changes.
  - WWII (1939-1945): Largest conflict in history; led to the establishment of the United Nations and a shift in global power dynamics.
Cultural Highlights:
- Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries): Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and freedom of thought; key figures include Voltaire and Rousseau.
- Civil Rights movements: Struggles for equality, notably in the U.S. during the 1960s, impacting social policies worldwide.
- Globalization: Increased interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and societies throughout the late 20th century and into the 21st century.

Time Period: 5th to late 15th century
Key Characteristics:
- Feudal System: Land ownership was based on loyalty and service. Lords were granted land by the king and in turn, they granted land to vassals. Vassals provided military service and loyalty to their lords in return for their land.
- The Rise of the Catholic Church: The Catholic Church dominated spiritual and political life in medieval Europe. It was a powerful institution with significant influence over rulers and everyday people.
- Crusades (1096-1291): Military campaigns by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. These campaigns had a lasting impact on European society and politics, both in terms of religious fervor and the spread of knowledge and trade.
- Black Death (1347-1351): A devastating plague that killed a large portion of Europe's population. The plague had profound social and economic consequences and led to social upheaval and labor shortages.
- Chivalry and Knighthood: A code of conduct emphasizing honor, courage, and loyalty. It was associated with the knightly class and shaped their behavior and role in medieval society.

Gothic Architecture: Known for its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. Notable examples include Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Literature: Medieval period saw the emergence of notable literary works, including "The Divine Comedy" by Dante and "The Canterbury Tales" by Chaucer.
Art: Medieval art centered primarily on religious themes. Notable artists include Giotto, whose work showcased greater realism, and Fra Angelico, known for his frescoes depicting biblical scenes.

Time Period: Late 15th century to present
Key Characteristics:
- The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries): A cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival in Europe. It saw the rediscovery of classical knowledge and the flourishing of humanism.
- Age of Exploration (15th-17th centuries): European powers explored and colonized new lands. Notable explorers include Christopher Columbus, who reached the Americas, and Ferdinand Magellan, who circumnavigated the globe.
- Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries): A period of major technological advancements, particularly in Great Britain. It saw the development of new machines, factories, and new sources of power, leading to a shift from agrarian to industrial economies. It also led to significant social and economic changes, including increased urbanization, the growth of the middle class, and the emergence of new social problems like poverty and pollution.
- World Wars:
  - WWI (1914-1918): Caused by a complex interplay of factors, including nationalism, militarism, and alliances. It resulted in widespread devastation, loss of life, and political changes.
  - WWII (1939-1945): The largest conflict in human history, involving a majority of the world's countries. The war led to the emergence of the United States and Soviet Union as superpowers, as well as the establishment of the United Nations.

Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries): An intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and freedom of thought. Major figures include Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, whose ideas greatly influenced political and social movements.
Civil Rights Movements: Struggles for equality and social justice, notably in the U.S. during the 1960s. These movements led to significant changes in social policies and gained momentum for similar movements around the world.
Globalization: Increased interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and societies throughout the late 20th and into the 21st century. Globalization has led to greater economic interdependence and cultural exchange but also raised concerns about inequality and the homogenization of cultures.