Final answer:
The Middle Ages refers to the period of European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries, divided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages. It was a time of political turmoil, population growth, cultural developments, and challenges like famine and war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'Middle Ages' refers to the period of European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries. It began with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and ended with the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is divided into three main periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages.
Global ties grew in the early Middle Ages with the establishment of marine networks across the Indian Ocean and commercial routes such as the Silk Road. During this time, the Middle East and North Africa saw a golden age of learning, which had some influence on Europe. During this time, Europe experienced political turmoil, military conflicts, population growth, cultural developments, and challenges such as famine, plague, and war.