Middle Ages: Turning Points

During the Middle Ages, people did not understand what caused the plague. It spread by way of the Silk Road and entered Europe at the port of Messina, Italy. Infected fleas on rats spread the illness.

​​Causes

Approximately 1/3rd (33%) of Europe's population died from the plague. Serfs could demand higher wages thus helping to end feudalism.

​​Effects

Although people in the Middle Ages did not know how to effectively treat the plague, they performed bloodletting, used herbs to purify the air and forced sick people out of cities. Today, we have modern antibiotics to treat this illness.

​Treatments

​During times of an attack, castles served as a means of protection for the entire manor. The construction of castles came to an end thanks to modern forms of weapons during the Hundred Years War.

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🗝️ Key Points – Magna Carta (1215)

• Limited the power of the king

• Established the rule of law

• Guaranteed due process and fair trials

• Introduced habeas corpus (no imprisonment without cause)

• Required tax approval from nobles

• Signed at Runnymede by King John

• Influenced modern democracies and legal systems

​Magna Carta

​A series of wars and times of peace that lasts for approximately 100 years. France ends up claiming more land with England loosing. Joan of Arc was a French peasant girl, led French troops to key victories during the Hundred Years' War, and inspired a turning point in France’s fight against England.

Hundred Years War

Two noble families in England (Lancaster and York) fight over who should be the ruling family. This war ends when a member of the Lancaster and York family marries making the Tudor family the ruling family of England for over 100 years.

​War of the Roses