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Middle Ages Achievements

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The Middle Ages are often referred to as the Dark Ages for a few reasons. First, it was viewed as a time in which there was a lack of scientific and cultural achievements. Also, war, famine, and disease were common. The devastating Black Death riddled Europe in the late 1340s. The Hundred Years War and the Crusades were also viewed as dark events in the Middle Ages. Although there were ways dark times affected by plague and what many believed was a lack of intellectual advancement, the Middle Ages was actually a time of many major achievements that economically and socially improved the future for Modern Europe. Therefore, there is a misconception that the Middle Ages were just completely dark. However, much success and progress came from that time. Instead of being considered a time …show more content…
The discovery of iron allowed farmers to create horseshoes. Mounted on wheels and armed with an iron cutter, the heavy plow was invented during this time. Another innovation was the shift from horses to the faster and stronger ox. Though the horses were still used and collar harnesses were invented to lighten the load of the horse. A component of the Agricultural Revolution was the development of the three-field crop system. This increased the productive capabilities, therefore allowing for the population of Europe to grow greatly. Other inventions in technology include clocks, which rationalized the course of European daily affairs, and the printing press, which allowed for more books to be printed and the population to become more literate. These advances were brought about because Europe was able to intensify its agriculture, allowing a very different civilization to appear. The Agricultural Revolution played a huge part in the advances of the Middle Ages because once the population grew, Europe became an important player in the world scene technologically, economically, and

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