Maureen Wood High Middle Ages Essay Honors World History Period 5 March 7, 2012

How the High Middle Ages changed Europes History

The High Middle Ages was a major turning point in the course of Europes history, and the events that occurred during the High Middle Ages played important roles in that turning point. Three topics that I believe played a major role in changing Europes history were the Crusades, the Black Death, and the Magna Carta. The Crusades was the cause of many killings in Europe. The Bubonic Plague was the most severe epidemic in Europes History. Lastly, the Magna Carta, which probably played the biggest role in changing Europes History. Without any of the events that happened during the High Middle Ages, Europe would not be the same today. The Crusades started out as a way to get back the Holy Land, but it soon turned into a killing spree. The Crusades were one of the darkest occurrences in the Roman Catholic Church. The Crusaders killed pretty much everyone who wasnt Catholic. This changed Europes history in a number of ways. Because of the Crusades there is a very few amount of people with the Jewish religion or other religions in Europe today. The Crusades also made it possible to open up trade and bring many goods from other countries back to Europe. Although the Crusades was a terrible experience, it did allow for many opportunities for Europe like trading and new goods. The Bubonic plague or Black Death was one of the most severe epidemics in human history. The Black Death not only killed entire families but entire villages! The plague started in 1347 and by 1350, one-third of Europe was dead. Because of the Black Death, Europes economy flourished. The depopulation of people allowed wealth for

more people, and survivors had a surplus of material goods. Not only did the Black Death affect Europes economy, but it affected Europes art as well. The art became more dark and deathly rather than light and happy. The biggest change in European history because of the Black Death was the religion. It brought many people to the darker side of life and many people even began to question God. If the Black Death never happened, Europe today would be a lot different. The last topic that I will be discussing is the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta was the effect of King Johns not so great ruling. He then threatened to revoke charters, and the weak military turned nobles and barons against him. The Nobles then forced King John to sign the great charter (which later became the Magna Carta) which says that everyone is under the law, even the King. The Magna Carta gave certain rights to nobles, said that no one can be held against their will unless convicted by laws or peers, and also states that there will be no new taxes unless he King council consulted with the council. The Magna Carta changed Europes law for times to come, and it also gave inspiration for The United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Because of these events in the High Middle Ages, Europe is what it is today. The Bubonic Plague, although it was extremely devastating event, was able to help Europes economy. The Magna Carta not only changed Europes history but also was inspiration for the United States as well. Lastly, the crusades showed the dark side of the church, but by revealing the Churchs flaws they were able to learn from their mistakes and work on them. The events that happened during the High Middle Ages, whether they were good or bad, have played major roles in how Europe is today.