Chapter 2: Europe in the Middle Ages

Europe was (rightly or wrongly) considered the backwater of the civilized world for most of history. So how is it the Europeans built global empires and changed the world with industrialization?
In this 25-minute episode, I’m going to run through the developments of the Middle Ages and the circumstances of life in Europe that gradually led to a new world order. Topics include:
The impact of Ancient Rome
The Dark Ages
The Crusades
The Black Death
Trade with the Islamic World
The early days of modern finance
The rebirth of learning and practical inventions