THE MIDDLE AGES

Case 6: The Crusades - Bloody Massacres in the Name of God

BIG IDEAS:  The Crusades were fought over a period of 200 years.  These religious wars between Christians and Muslims, were fought to advance and expand each side's own religious interests.  With so many men going off to war, there was little opportunity for advancing creative and artistic endeavors. 

Discussion questions:

• What data have you gathered about the Crusades?  What were these wars about?
• What do you know about the events of any of these Crusades?  What descriptors would you use to paint a picture of these wars?
• How do you suppose the Church rulers were able to get men to go off to fight in these religious wars?  What was the appeal?  
• What, in your view, were the issues of these wars? 
• What were some of the prices paid by both Muslims and Christians?
• What was gained through these 200 years of bloodshed?  Was it worth the cost?  What's your view on it?

Case 7:  Changing Times

BIG IDEAS:  The decline of the Crusades led to the production of more goods and increased trade.  The economic system of feudalism was inadequate to support the emergence of the new trading cities.  Merchants replaced feudal lords in their wealth and power.  Nations grew stronger, and people began to affiliate themselves with countries.  New ideas about religion, government, medicine, art and commerce began to infiltrate the European culture.

Discussion questions:

• What kind of life existed outside of the Crusades in Medieval Europe?  How would you describe it?  What advances were being made in art?  Literature?  Health?  Science?  Technology?  Commerce?
• How did the decline of the Crusades lead to advances in these fields?  How do you explain it?
• In what ways did trade contribute to the change in thinking, behavior and culture at the end of the Middle Ages in Europe?   What do you consider to be the impact of trade on the advancement of culture?
• What was the impact of trade on the rising merchant class?  How, in your view, did merchants and mercantilism contribute to the downfall of the feudal system?
• What, in your view, explains the rise of nationalism?  What do you consider to be the impact of nationalism on Western Civilization?
• What do you see as the legacy of the Middle Ages?  What are its contributions to contemporary thinking?