The document is a planning guide for writing a DBQ (document-based question) essay about labels used to describe the European Middle Ages between 500-1400 CE. It includes sample thesis statements, a planning chart to organize evidence from multiple documents, and guidance on developing an argument through analyzing reliable and unreliable sources. The goal is to determine which of four labels - The Dark Ages, Age of Feudalism, Age of Faith, or Golden Age of Europe - best characterizes the era based on an analysis of evidence from various documents.

1. Question: Which labels for the Middle Ages best describe the era between 500 and 1400 in Europe: The Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith, or the Golden Age of Europe? You must discuss three labels. HOW TO DBQ

2. Planning Chart Doc The Dark Ages Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

3. Doc The Dark Ages Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age 1

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12. Document 10 Doc The Dark Ages Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age 1

13. Planning Chart Doc The Dark Ages Age of Feudalism Age of Faith Golden Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

15. 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.

16. Missing Voice Document After 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 that depicts the 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.