Which city was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
What was the collection of Roman laws organized by Emperor Justinian called?
The 'Great Schism' in 1054 CE primarily refers to the split between which two branches of Christianity?
Which of the following is NOT one of the Five Pillars of Islam?
Islamic scholars made significant advancements in which of the following fields during the Golden Age?
What was the dominant social and political system in medieval Europe, characterized by land for loyalty?
Manorialism was the economic system of medieval Europe, primarily based on what?
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church held immense power and influence over which aspects of European life?
The Crusades were a series of religious wars primarily fought between which groups?
The Black Death, which devastated Europe in the 14th century, was a widespread outbreak of what?
What does the term 'Renaissance' literally mean?
Which intellectual movement of the Renaissance emphasized human potential and achievements, focusing on classical Greek and Roman texts?
Who painted the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper'?
The wealthy Medici family of Florence were famous for what during the Renaissance?
How did the Renaissance primarily impact art and science?
Which German monk is widely credited with initiating the Protestant Reformation?
What was the primary purpose of Martin Luther's '95 Theses'?
The Protestant Reformation led to the establishment of new Christian denominations that were separate from the Roman Catholic Church. Which of the following is an example of a Protestant denomination?
The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation was known as the:
How did the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg contribute to the Reformation?
Instructions: Choose ONE of the following essay prompts and write a well-organized argumentative essay. Your essay should draw upon your knowledge of the covered historical periods and use specific examples to support your arguments.
Option 1: Compare and contrast the political and economic characteristics of Feudal Europe with those of the early Islamic Caliphates. In your essay, discuss how these systems organized power and economic life, noting both similarities and differences.
Instructions: Choose ONE of the following essay prompts and write a well-organized argumentative essay. Your essay should draw upon your knowledge of the covered historical periods and use specific examples to support your arguments.
Option 2: Analyze the key factors that contributed to the rise of the Renaissance in Italy. Explain how the Renaissance marked a significant shift from the Middle Ages in terms of art, learning, and worldview.
The Impact of the Black Death on European Society (14th Century)
Overarching Question: Analyze the significant ways in which the Black Death impacted European society during the 14th century, economically, socially, and religiously.
Document 1: A Florentine Chronicle
"In the year of our Lord 1348, there happened in the city of Florence a most terrible pestilence. It was so potent that it spared neither young nor old, man nor woman. The dead were carried out on biers, and buried in vast trenches, layer upon layer, as shipmen arrange merchandise. People became fearful, fleeing from the infected, abandoning even their own families. Doctors were helpless, and the pious prayers seemed to have no effect. The streets became deserted, and the normal routines of life ceased."
Source: Adapted from Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron, written c. 1353.
Document 2: Manorial Records from England
| Year | Population (Villagers) | Harvest Yield (Bushels/acre) | Daily Wage for Laborer (Pence) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1340 | 300 | 12 | 2 |
| 1350 | 120 | 10 | 4 |
| 1360 | 150 | 11 | 5 |
Source: Adapted from various English manorial court rolls and accounts, 14th century.
Document 3: A Historian's Interpretation of Social Change
"The Black Death profoundly reshaped social structures. With massive population decline, the traditional feudal ties weakened. Peasants, now fewer in number, gained bargaining power, demanding higher wages and greater freedoms. Some even moved to towns, seeking better opportunities. The fixed hierarchies of medieval society began to fray, leading to increased social mobility and, sometimes, peasant revolts when lords resisted these changes."
Source: Dr. Eleanor Vance, A Short History of Medieval Europe, 2010.
Document 4: A Bishop's Letter
"Indeed, the hand of God lies heavy upon us. Many now question His mercy, seeing so much suffering. Others turn to extreme piety, joining flagellant movements, scourging themselves in public procession, believing such acts will appease divine wrath. Yet, the Church itself has suffered greatly, with priests dying and a decline in spiritual leadership in many areas. Faith is tested, and the flock is scattered."
Source: Letter from Bishop William of Rochester to a colleague, c. 1349.
Document 5: Artistic Representation
"The 'Dance of Death' (Danse Macabre) became a popular artistic theme in the aftermath of the Black Death. These artworks depicted skeletons or personifications of Death leading people from all walks of life—kings, peasants, popes, merchants—in a macabre dance. This artistic motif served as a stark reminder of the universality of death and the fragility of life, reflecting a pervasive sense of fear and spiritual uncertainty."
Source: Description of a common artistic theme in 14th and 15th century Europe.
Document 6: Economic Consequences
"In the long term, the scarcity of labor due to the Black Death had a revolutionary impact on Europe's economy. Landowners often converted arable land to pasture for sheep, which required less labor. This shift, combined with rising wages for surviving laborers, accelerated the decline of serfdom and paved the way for more modern labor relations. The surviving population enjoyed a higher standard of living due to increased per capita wealth and cheaper food."
Source: Professor Robert Gottfried, The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe, 1983.
According to Document 1, how did the people of Florence react to the plague?
Based on Document 2, what happened to the daily wage for a laborer between 1340 and 1350? What might explain this change?
According to Document 3, how did the Black Death affect the power and social standing of peasants?
What does Document 4 reveal about the religious impact of the Black Death?
How does the 'Dance of Death' described in Document 5 reflect the general sentiment or worldview of the period following the Black Death?
Using information from the documents and your outside knowledge, write an essay that analyzes the significant ways in which the Black Death impacted European society during the 14th century, economically, socially, and religiously. Be sure to use evidence from at least three documents to support your argument.