Dr. Matthew’s World History
Trimble County High School
The Darkness……
I. The Dark Ages/Middle Ages
A. Focus on the “Hereafter”
rather than the “Here”
B. Rampant Illiteracy
C. The Corruption of the Church
D. The Black Death
The Black Death
What was the Black Death?
• A deadly plague that spread
across Europe from 1346-1352.
• Caused by bacteria and spread
by black rats and fleas.
• 3 forms:
• Pneumonic - lungs; death in a
matter of days
• Septicemic - attacked the
bloodstream
• Bubonic - bubbles on the
body
Why couldn’t people stop the Black Death?
People were ignorant
about its cause; they
blamed the stars, God,
and the Jews.
They tried ineffective
cures such as
pomanders,
flagellation, and
repentance of sins.
How did the Black Death change life in
Europe?
Killed one-third of the
population.
Forced farmers to
diversify their crops.
Reduced the power of the
feudal lords.
People move to cities to
earn better wages.
Peasants demanded more
freedom.
How did the Black Death spread
throughout Europe?
Originated in Mongolia
and spread to the Black
Sea along the Silk Road.
Bacteria carried from
fleas who lived on black
rats.
Italian merchant ships
brought rats to Europe
along with trade goods.
First appears in Sicily
then spreads.
•Toward the end of
the Middle Ages a
culture called the
Renaissance began
in Italy and spread
throughout Europe.
•Renaissance is a
French word meaning:
Rebirth
RENAISSANCE
cont’d
“Rebirth” refers to the
interest in classical art and
learning.
“Classical” refers to the
cultures of ancient Greece
and Rome.
RENAISSANCE
cont’d
The Renaissance changed the lives
of many people over time as it
developed towards the end of the
Middle Ages.
Since the Medieval Period did not
end suddenly, the start of the
Renaissance was gradual as well.
RENAISSANCE
cont’d
Middle Ages
- Peasants lived in countryside and were uneducated
- Clergy members encouraged people to think more
about life after death than surviving daily life.
Renaissance
- People began to think more about personal
achievement and desire.
-Humanism:
- Human nature and the dignity of man were exalted
and emphasis was placed on the present life as a
worthy event in itself.
RENAISSANCE
The Renaissance
provided a burst of
creativity,
individuality and
interest in human
society.
Simply put…the
Renaissance provided
a spark of excitement
in the lives of
Europeans!!
cont’d