Middle Ages: Political (Jan 1=Unknown)

Thesis

Period: 450 to Jan 1, 1500

During the period known as the "Middle Ages" (600AD-1450AD), the political landscape of the major civilizations forming there changed constantly. Although the empires were constantly improving and fighting with each other, they all had quick changes in groups and religions ruling the regions.

Reign of Justinian Begins

533

Justinian rebuilt Constantiople, commissioned the Hagia Sophia , and systemized legal code. He attempting to retake the land once belonging to Rome. Justinian was crucial in expanding the Byzantine Empire. This was continuity, as his predessesors had laid the ground work and set the stage for his exploits.

Muhammad Recieves Revelations

Jan 1, 610

If Muhammad had not recieved any revelations, Islam would not have been created and the extreme changes in society it caused would have occured differently. The revelations alone were not the entire cause of these drastic reforms, but they were a definate and needed starting point. This is a change as Islam did not exist before Muhammad.

Muhammad's Death

Jan 1, 632

Muhammad's death caused a major and enduring problem of succession in the Muslim empires. It would cause conflict and arguments over who should be the next caliph for several centuries. This is new, as Islam breaks into two branches instead of remaining unified.

The Sasanian Empire Collapses

Jan 1, 637

Muslim invaders moved into the Sasanian Empire to spread thewir beliefs. The Sasanian Empire greatly underestimated the invading forces leading to Sasanian defeats and their unprecedented collapse. This event marks a change as Muslims demonstrated their power and expanded their religion.

Umayyads Eliminated

Jan 1, 750

The Umayyad and Abbasid forces fought for about thyree years before finally meeting at the Battle of River Zab. The battle ended in Umayyad defeat and soon after the Abbasids murdered the rest of the Umayyads at a feast. This is a change as the long-held authority of the Ummayads was replaced by the Abbasids.

First Crusade

Jan 1, 1096

The First Crusade was called for by Pope Urban II to retake the Holy Land. Taking the Muslim community by surprise, they conquered Jerusalem in an overall victory. This was a change as it started major conflict between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Land.

Magna Carta

Jan 1, 1215

The Magna Carta was signed by King John limiting the kings power power. This was major because it showed the power of the aristocrats over the king. The Magna Carta is a change as the king has lost power and the fuedal rights gained ground.

End of the Caliphate

Jan 1, 1258

The Mongols invaded several outlying kingdoms in the 1220s under Chinggis Khan. After Chinggis Khan was dead, his grandson, Hulegu, had the Mongols attack the richer parts of the Islamic empires. In 1258, the last caliph was killed and the Abbassid Empire was raided. This was a change as the Abbassids lost their long held power.

Crusader Kingdoms Lost

Jan 1, 1291

With the help of Saladin, Muslim forces quickly reconquered the land lost during the Crusades. After Saladin died in 1193, his forces still gained back the lost lands ending with the fall of Acre. This is a change as the lands changed ownership.

The Turkish Army Conquers Byzantium

Jan 1, 1453

The Turks had been moving closer and closer to the Byzantine Empire until 1453, when the Turkish army attacked the city, quickly conquering it. By 1461 the Turks fully conquered the Byzantine Empire. This was continuity as the Turkish had been moving closer for many years.