Mr. Sink’s AP European History – Unit 1: Renaissance, Reformation, & the Age of Discovery

Questions: Dark AGES CRASH COURSE #14

Directions:Watch the video “World History Crash Course #14: The Dark Ages…How Dark were they really?” on and answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper.

  1. Why is the period in European History between the years of 600-1450 CE often referred to as the Middle Ages? Why do some refer to this period as the Dark Ages?
  2. What was the approximate life expectancy for the average European living in medieval times? Why was it higher than those living in the Roman Empire?
  3. Briefly summarize the political system known as feudalism. How was it also an economic system? What were the major drawbacks of this system?
  4. Describe why the Muslim city of Cordoba in Spain was regarded as a great learning center during the Middle Ages.
  5. What were some of the major accomplishments of Muslims living in Spain during the Middle Ages?
  6. Why was this period also referred to as a “Golden Age” in China? Identify some of the major accomplishments of the Tang and Song Dynasties.
  7. Do you think it is accurate to describe the European Middle Ages as a “Dark Age”? Explain.

------Mr. Sink’s AP European History – Unit 1: Renaissance, Reformation, & the Age of Discovery

Questions: Dark AGES CRASH COURSE #14

Directions: Watch the video “World History Crash Course #14: The Dark Ages…How Dark were they really?” on and answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper.

  1. Why is the period in European History between the years of 600-1450 CE often referred to as the Middle Ages? Why do some refer to this period as the Dark Ages?
  2. What was the approximate life expectancy for the average European living in medieval times? Why was it higher than those living in the Roman Empire?
  3. Briefly summarize the political system known as feudalism. How was it also an economic system? What were the major drawbacks of this system?
  4. Describe why the Muslim city of Cordoba in Spain was regarded as a great learning center during the Middle Ages.
  5. What were some of the major accomplishments of Muslims living in Spain during the Middle Ages?
  6. Why was this period also referred to as a “Golden Age” in China? Identify some of the major accomplishments of the Tang and Song Dynasties.
  7. Do you think it is accurate to describe the European Middle Ages as a “Dark Age”? Explain.