middle ages dbq - arc of history history of the middle ages. n.p.: barnes and noble books, 1995....

What’s a QBD?Silly, English-types!It’s called a DBQ!

Middle Ages DBQsource: http://www.slideshare.net/gsill/middle-ages-dbq

Your quest is to write an essay using the documents provided, answering the following question: Which is the best title for the time period commonly called the Middle Ages?

A Dark Age?An Age of Feudalism?An Age of Faith?A Golden Age?

How about a smelly and silly age?

Doc A Dark Age Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age

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Doc The Dark Ages Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age

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Document 10


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Document 11The Black Death

From Agnolo di Tura, of Siena:

"The mortality in Siena began in May. It was a cruel and horrible thing. . . . It seemed that almost everyone became stupefied seeing the pain. It is impossible for the human tongue to recount the awful truth. Indeed, one who did not see such horribleness can be called blessed. The victims died almost immediately. They would swell beneath the armpits and in the groin, and fall over while talking. Father abandoned child, wife husband, one brother another; for this illness seemed to strike through breath and sight. And so they died. None could be found to bury the dead for money or friendship. Members of a household brought their dead to a ditch as best they could, without priest, without divine offices. In many places in Siena great pits were dug and piled deep with the multitude of dead. And they died by the hundreds, both day and night, and all were thrown in those ditches and covered with earth. And as soon as those ditches were filled, more were dug. I, Agnolo di Tura . . . buried my five children with my own hands. . . . And so many died that all believed it was the end of the world. Quoted from: http://boisestate.edu/courses/westciv/plague/08.shtml


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Document 12

Source: Dahmus, Joseph. A History of the Middle Ages. N.p.: Barnes and Noble Books, 1995. Print.


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After you analyze the sources provided. What conclusion can

you make about which label best describes the Middle Ages?

1. Search for facts in each document. Pay attention to who the

authors of each document are. Are they reliable sources?

2. Look for common trends or information. Is there

overwhelming evidence that supports one aspect over

another?

3. Find ways to dismiss or downplay opposing viewpoints.

4. Make sure your thesis answers the question and attempts to

prove something.

Develop a Thesis

The Middle Ages occurred after the Fall of Rome and became a Dark

Age of disorder and chaos.

The Middle Ages has a reputation for being a time of disorder and

ignorance, however, it should be known as a golden age for its major

achievements in art and architecture.

Take some time to write a thesis of your own!

The Middle Ages began as a Dark Age but should be known as the Age

of Faith due to the dominating power and influence of the Roman

Catholic Church.

The Middle Ages should be labeled as the Age of Feudalism because

this decentralized system dominated and influenced the political,

economic and social aspects of Western Europe.

Life during the Middle Ages is proof that even during times of violence

and destruction, humans will do all they can to learn and preserve

knowledge and new ideas. Therefore, it should be labeled as a Golden

Age.

Missing Voice DocumentAfter you analyze the sources provided, what additional document(s)

would you need to help prove your thesis about this situation!

A commoner

A chart depicting

the amount of lives

lost during the

Barbaric invasions

A passage from a

book or a drawing

t h a t d e p i c t s t h e

intellectual work of

the monks in the

monasteries

A diary entrance to understand what influenced their

lives the most. What was most important to them

and why? Probably, their daily lives were consumed

with work and dominated by Church law. There was

probably not much time for education and recreation.

This would help prove the massive extent to which

civilization was destroyed by the Germanic

invasions. It would interesting to compare these

numbers to the losses of the Eastern Empire which

was able to retain their centralized government.

This document may provide evidence of the

preservation of Greco-Roman ideas, the illumination

of the Bible, or perhaps evidence of bee keeping,

beer making, or medical studies.

DBQ Essay “Must Haves”

ThesisStructure and PreviewOrganization of Body ParagraphsAnalysis of the documentsSufficient number of documents (half plus one)Demonstration of understanding of time periodInclusion of “outside” knowledge

middle ages dbq - arc of history history of the middle ages. n.p.: barnes and noble books, 1995....

Documents