Medieval Europe

Medieval period in Europe started in fifth century CE (with the fall of the Roman Empire) and lasted till fifteenth century CE with the beginning of Renaissance and the age of discovery. Medieval period in India however spans from eight to eighteenth century CE (further divided into early medieval period and later medieval period).

There were three distinct phases in Medieval Europe:

• Decline of Roman empire
• Spread of Christianity
• The Crusades

Decline of Roman Empire

Roman Empire was divided into two house Western and Eastern Roman empire.

There was a decline of Western Roman empire due to reasons such as:

1. Barbarian invasions: there were repeated attacks by Germanic tribes from north.
2. Political and economic instability.

476 CE saw the fall of Rome when Germanic leader Odoacer overthrew the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustus.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman empire or Byzantine Empire withstood Germanic onslaughts, and continued to flourish for centuries.

Eventually, Islamic Turkish Invaders from the East captured Constantinople in 1453 CE.

Spread of Christianity

Post the decline of the Roman Empire, there was rapid spread of Christianity across Europe.

Numerous churches and monasteries were established. The Monasteries emerged as centres of learning.

Related: Comprehensive guide on Christianity

The Crusades

In 638 CE, Muslim Turks captured Jerusalem and the holy land of Palestine. In eleventh century, Turks invaded lands of the Byzantine Empire.

Pope Urban II to gave a call for “Holy wars’ or ‘Crusades’ against the Turks to reclaim their holy land.

Eight crusades failed to capture the Holy land.

Impact of the crusades

• Renaissance Era: Christian crusaders gain knowledge of Greek and Turkish civilizations and ushered in the era of Renaissance (14th to the 17th century). It is often described as a “rebirth” or “reawakening” of classical learning and ideals from ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance marked a transition from the medieval period to the modern era.
• Flourishing trade and Commerce: Trade and Commerce flourished as European merchants established direct links with the East and other parts of the world.
• Decline of feudalism: The Turks introduced the crusaders to guns and gunpowder thereby rendering the services of the knights useless leading to the fall of the feudal Lords.
• Centralisation of power: The king’s gained more power, the Merchant class became wealthier and demanded establishment of proper law and order in cities, further leading to the decline of feudal power.

Medieval Europe rise and spread of Christianity (History / Civics) Class 7

Rise of Christianity (History / Civics) Class 7 Notes, Questions and Answers.

This chapter covers topics such as meaning of Medieval period, life and teachings of Jesus Christ, Christianity under Emperor Constantine.

Question: Discuss the reason for the decline of the Roman empire.

Answer: The barbarian invasions penetrated deep into the Roman territory and plundered and ravaged it. Even the magnificent city of Rome was not spared. These tribes gradually settled down and assumed control of the western part of the Roman empire which led to its decline.

Question: Why were the Jewish religious leaders angry with Jesus?

Answer: Due to Jesus’s intelligence, wisdom, compassion and simplicity large crowds were attracted towards him. This greatly enraged the Jewish religious leaders who felt threatened by his growing popularity.

Question: Where was Christ born? Why was he crucified?

Answer: Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, a small village of Jerusalem. His father Joseph and mother Mary were Jews. He was born in about 4BC. Jesus emphasised on one God and gave immense importance to love, brotherhood and compassion. He fearlessly criticised all harmful activities and evils. This made the rich and powerful Romans his enemy. They complained to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Palestine, accusing Jesus of calling himself the king of Jews and thus encouraging people to rebel against Roman rulers. Thus, Jesus was arrested and crucified. The cross became a sacred symbol of the Christians.

Question: The teachings of Jesus were simple, yet revolutionary. Explain.

Answer: The teachings of Jesus were simple, yet revolutionary. He established a code of conduct for men and women based on:

• i). Unconditional love for God
• ii). True love for one’s neighbour

Jesus taught that there was one God who was compassionate, loving and forgiving. As children of God, we should mould ourselves in the image of God. We should love our neighbours, including the poor, the sinners and even our enemies; we should help the needy and do good even to those who harm us; we should forgive our enemies and win them over withour love. Since God loved sinners and forgave them, we should do the same. Jesus completely rejected ‘the eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ principle.

Question: Fill in the blanks:

• a. Jesus criticised all ____ activities.
• b. Constantine established a new capital at ____ in 330 A.D.
• c. For three years, Jesus travelled throughout Galilee, ___ , ____ and _____ the sick.
• d. Jesus began preaching at the age of _____.
• e. The middle ages in India started in _____ and continued till ____.

Question: State whether the following statements are True or False:

• a. Jesus taught that we should harmonly those who harm us.
• b. Jesus’s interpretation of Jewish law was the same as that of other Jewish leaders.
• c. The Pope became the spiritual head of Christians all over the world.
• d. The greatest contribution of the monasteries was in the field of education.
• e. The spread of Christianity was one of the most important developments in the Early Medieval Period.

Question: Discuss the contribution of emperor Constantine in the spread of Christianity.

Question: Write any four features of feudal system in Medieval Europe.

Question: Describe a monastery. What did the monks and nuns do for the welfare of the people?

Question: In how many parts is the Bible divided? Explain.

Question: What is the time of Middle Ages?

Question: Who were barbarians? Name some of them.

Question: Name the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Question: Who were friars?

Question: Define feudalism.

Question: What were the Crusades?

Question: Analyse the teachings of Jesus.