How to Read a Map

Question 1 

It is evident from the two maps that tremendous change took place during the period of 100 AD and 500 AD. Firstly, Western Europe divided into smaller kingdoms and empires. For instance, there was the rise of the kingdom of the Ostrogoth, Kingdom of the Frank, and Kingdom of the Visigoths among others. This division is a clear reflection of a politically evolving society. There seem to have arisen new ideologies which required new leaders and consequently splitting from the Roman Empire. I think this meant that a certain group of people, with a certain set of ideologies, could disagree with the Roman Empire’s way of leadership, and choose their leader. 

Question 2 

The transition from the Barbarian kingdoms to Medieval Europe is evident from the two maps. Most of the Barbarian kingdoms were dissolved and largely replaced by many countries that still exist in modern Europe. These countries include; England, France Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Based on these changes, I can conclude that medieval society was more politically solid and was not easy to dissolve as several countries established during that period still exist. 

Question 3 

There were four crusades between 1096-1204AD. The crusades started in Clermont, France, and headed to Jerusalem. Alexius Comnenus of the Byzantine Empire helped the first crusade, and the mission was utterly successful. However, the second crusade wasn’t successful because one of the crusaders was captured when trying to conquer Damascus. The third crusade resulted in a peace treaty that allowed Christian to access Jerusalem. Finally, the fourth crusade was partially successful. They acquired new territories but failed to reach their target of six hundred miles inside Ayyubid Egypt. Overall, crusaders took over new areas. In my view, the Crusades depict the medieval society as aggressive in trying to fight for their religious beliefs and the territories which they believed were theirs.