Until fairly recently, the middle ages have been recognized as a period of social and economic stagnation. The humanists of the renaissance, whose ideal was inspired by the antique civilization, considered the medieval world as a period of darkness and influenced greatly the biased perception of future generations. Even though it is true that the middle ages were characterized by political and social instability, the institutions which emerged in Western Europe, were to be the …showed first 75 words of 2015 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2015 total…through economic imperialism instead of blood and death. Life in the middle ages was one of survival only. The economic growth allowed populations to move away from famine and hunger toward literacy, education, and greater possibilities. A modern society of course has its limits, as millions are still left behind. But the overall gain unarguable there, thanks to the billions of human beings before us who shaped modern society with their own blood and sweat.