The Later Middle Ages
ESSAY ON THE LATER MIDDLE AGES (1300~1500)The Later Middle Ages is characterized as being a time of overwhelming hardships, catastrophes and struggles. Both natural disasters and man-made ones seemed to strike constantly and relentlessly. What progress was made during this time is seen as less then previously or since; though not entirely non-existent. However, it should be remembered that humans have a habit of remembering the "bad" times and forgetting the "good". Professor Webber also brought out the fact; in his first tape called "Common Life in the Middle Ages" that "If cats could write history their history would be mostly about cats." He related this to the fact that until the 14th century, the common man did not have the resources or learning to read or write. So I feel, that while the major catastrophes and hardships are well documented, what progress was made by common people of the times is not well chronicled. I don't doubt that if a common person was asked about the time he would point out that I didn't have to live then, and offer to switch places with me.However, if you take a few steps back and see the larger picture you would find that this time period is a perfect human example of the scientific premise
Business practices were changed and developed to increase profits and decrease risks. Activities and events could be planned, work and businesses organized and people throughout Europe started living more on the same time schedule. that "For every action, however mild or violent, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Common people began to gain power and a middle class began to develop. With specialization, commercial trade over longer distances increased and the economy of a region depended more on what the soil of an area could produce best. Agriculturally, farming became more specialized and trade increased. Other developments were branch banking, credit techniques and bank transfers, call "book transfers". Constant warfare ensued outwards towards other lands as in The Hundred Years War (1337~1453), between France and England, and The Capture of Constantinople (1453) by Ottoman Turks. The calandar was also finally standardized, leading to not only the way hours and minutes were kept track of but the days, weeks months and years. The importance of rural life diminished and towns and cities began to take on a greater importance. Partnerships were formed and insurance companies invented. Manufacturers could alter how they did business, sometimes even controlling supply and demand, easier then feudal landlords and with added strength allowed then to hire rural labor. Clocks were placed in towns and with this an accurate way to count the passing hours.
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