Medieval Europe and the Mongol Empire: A Journey Through Time (500-1400 CE)

Generally thought of as the Dark Ages, the fascinating period from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages includes the rise of the Mongol Empire and important developments in Europe and Africa. It’s not DARK at all!

Major Historical Developments:
• The Fall of Rome and Early Middle Ages (476-1000 CE)

Collapse of Western Roman Empire
Rise of feudal system in Europe
Spread of Christianity and establishment of monasteries
Formation of new kingdoms (Franks, Visigoths, Anglo-Saxons)

• The Mongol Empire (1206-1368)

Genghis Khan unifies Mongol tribes
Largest continuous land empire in history
Advanced military tactics and communication systems
Establishment of the Silk Road trade network
Cultural exchange between East and West

• Sub-Saharan Africa (800-1400)

Growth of trading kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Great Zimbabwe)
Trans-Saharan trade routes
Spread of Islam across Africa
Development of unique African cultural traditions

• High Middle Ages in Europe (1000-1300)

Growth of cities and trade
Rise of universities and Gothic architecture
Crusades and interaction with Islamic world
Development of feudal monarchies
Agricultural innovations and population growth

• The Black Death (1347-1351)

Spread along trade routes from Asia to Europe
Killed approximately one-third of Europe’s population
Major social and economic changes
End of feudal system begins
Labor shortages lead to peasant empowerment

• Church Conflicts and Changes

Great Schism between Eastern and Western Church (1054)
Babylonian Captivity (1309-1377)
Papacy moves to Avignon, France
Church authority questioned
Multiple popes claim leadership
Growth of heretical movements
Reforms within the Church

Key Themes:

Trade and cultural exchange
Rise and fall of empires
Religious influence and conflict
Technological and social advancement
Impact of disease and climate
Migration and population movement

This period represents a time of significant change, setting the stage for the Renaissance and the modern world. Each topic connects to show how different regions influenced and affected each other through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange.

Crash Course Content

• Islam, the Quran, and the Five Pillars
• Mansa Musa and Islam in Africa
• The Crusades – Pilgrimage or Holy War?
• Medieval Europe

The Sources

Each of the links below will take you to a primary source. The sources are organized chronologically and geographically. Each geographical heading will take you to a Crash Course World History lesson video dealing with that area.

Theophylact Simocattes, “The Value of Reason and History” (7th c.)

The RIse of Islam

Muhammad, The Qu-ran (selections)
Avicenna, Love of Learning (c. 1037)

Africa

Ibn Battuta, Journey to Mali: 1350-1351

The Crusades

Urban II: Speech at Clermont, 1095 (Robert the Monk version)
Anna Comnena, A Greek View of the Crusaders (Twelfth Century)
Odo of Deuil, A Crusader’s Criticism of the Greeks (c. 1148)
Usamah, An Arab View of the Crusaders (Twelfth Century)
The First Contact of Crusaders and Turks, (1097-1099)
William of Tyre, The Capture of Jerusalem (1099)

The Black Death and Schism of the Church

Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085), “Second Letter to Bishop Herman of Metz” and the Dictatus Papae
Feudal Documents: Vassal and Warrior (11-12th c.)
Documents Relating to Francis of Assisi (d. 1226)
Innocent III, On the Misery of the Human Condition (c. 1198)
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica (c. 1274)
Peter Abelard, Inquiry into Divergent Views of Church Fathers (c. 1140)
John of Salisbury, On the Liberal Arts, What is a Scholar?
Marsilius of Padua, Defensor pacis (1324)
Jean de Venette: The Black Death (c. 1350)
Petrarch, Ascent of Mount Ventoux
Petrarch, On the Italian Language and Literature
Petrarch, “Letter to Posterity“