Transcript The Origin of European Nations

500-1050
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This is the story of how the collapse of one
form of government created the need for a
new type of government known as feudalism.
This period was not only characterized by
lords battling for power and warfare was a
way of life; but, also characterized by a
decline in learning and civilization. Gradually,
the Roman Catholic Church came to
dominate life in Europe.
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Why should I care? Over time, several ideas
and key events would be responsible for
shattering the two great institutions of the
Middle Ages. Gradually, society loyalty
shifted towards a nation-state.
 Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages):
500 – 1050; characterized by a
decline in learning and
civilization
 High Middle Ages: 1050 - 1450
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Rome lost its way; and, thus couldn’t control
its empire
Tribes/barbarians infiltrated the area
If given $250,000 today to start a business,
where wouldn’t you go to start that business?
Why?
What is it that people are looking to receive
from their government? Rome couldn’t offer
this; and, feudalism could.
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Political Originated during
the Early Middle Ages in
response to invasions by
Vikings, Muslims, and
Magyars
Government by contract
(agreements were made)
Characterized by lords
battling for power and
warfare was a way of life
Emphasis on local
protection, local
government, and local selfsufficiency
Feudal Pyramid
King
Nobles
Vassals
Knights
Free Peasants/Serfs
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Land/Protection
exchanged for
loyalty/soldiers/work/
service
 Those who fought (knights)
 Those who prayed (priests)
 Those who worked (free
peasants/serfs)
Rights – labor from all
peasants, portion of
the harvest, livestock,
gift @ Christmas and
Easter, payment of a
tax on grain, payment
of a tax when the serf
married
 Responsibilities –
protect the rights of
the serfs to stay on the
land, keep peace,
administer justice
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 Rights – received
tithes
 Responsibilities –
maintain the
church, provide
church services,
enforce the laws
of the church
Rights – live on the
manor from birth to
death (made up largest
population)
 Responsibilities – work
for nobles, give noble a
portion of one’s
harvest and livestock,
pay tax for right to
marry, give gift to
noble @
Christmas/Easter;
children were expected
to work
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Roman Catholic Church
dominant in Europe
Most powerful, secular force in
Europe
Provided schools, hospitals,
services to the poor, and moral
authority, and was believed to
have the ability to help people
obtain salvation
Church had significant control
over European society because
it decided who could achieve
salvation
People expected the Church to
provide meaning to their lives
1150 - 1580
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This is the story of how the rise of nationalism
(loyalty to one’s nation) contributed to power
struggles of medieval kings taking place
between 1200-1500. Rulers fought against
the Church, powerful lords within their own
realms, and rival kings of other countries. In
addition to these power struggles taking
place; Church crisis, disease, and war greatly
influenced the landscape of Europe.
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This is the story of how many factors not only
weakened the Roman Catholic Church; but,
also the feudal system. These factors
included: nationalism (sense of pride in one’s
nation), ongoing struggles between rulers,
powerful lords, kings of other countries, and
the Church; turmoil within the Church, cries
for church reform, and the development of
the bubonic plague.
Why Should I Care? As a result of nationalism
leading to power struggles, disease, Church
division, and 100 Years War; the power of the
Church and feudalism (two great medieval
institutions) was shattered. Out of all of this,
we see the emergence of a new powerful
institution known as the Nation. (Spain, France,
and England) This period also created an
atmosphere for change which will become
known as the Renaissance era.
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Why does this matter? These factors led to
development of modern European nations
such as France and England. It also
contributed to the decline of the Roman
Catholic’s influence on civilization leading to
a more secular way of thinking about the
world. We call this a rebirth of the arts and
learning (Renaissance).
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Crusades
Nationalism
Bubonic Plague
Church Crisis
100 Years War
Overall Philosophical Change
Feudalism (P)
Chivalry (S)
Religious idealism ®
Weakening of Byzantine empire
Recapture Jerusalem and rescue the Holy
Land from the Muslim Turks (R)
 Italian merchants desire for commercial
power (E)
 (There is usually always going to be a
political, economic, social, and/or religious
motive influencing a group to do
something)
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 Decline in papal (church) prestige
 Decline in feudal power
 Increase in monarch’s power
 Increased religious intolerance
 Expansion of trade by Italian cities
Nationalism on the rise (loyalty to a nation)
People no longer being loyal to feudal lords
By 1300, both England and France have expanded
England has gained more land holding nobility
France getting all their land back from English kings
These nations now have modern borders
France and England are no longer feudal; but more
centrally governed (realize feudalism dies out in
waves; not everyone ends feudalism at same time)
 The Church is now challenged by the governments
of both England and France (power struggle)
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End of the 1200s: Boniface
VIII is the Pope. He does
not recognize the rise of
power of Kings
The Pope tries to order
King Phillip IV to not tax
clergy. King responds by
sending troops to Italy.
All through the 1300s, the
Papacy declined and the
office moved to Avignon,
France
Eventually, Pope returned
to Rome, but Popes could
no longer tell monarchs
what to do.
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Two Popes in Europe
signified “The Great
Schism” (1378-1417)
Reformers such as
Wycliffe and Huss
surfaced because of
Church troubles leading
them to question Church
practices
This was the prelude to
the Renaissance and
Reformation
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France and England fight
the 100 years War
England tried to get
French territory back:
Joan of Arc didn’t let that
happen
Nationalism caused
English people to see the
king as more of a
national leader as
opposed to a feudal lord
Nationalism drove the
French to throw support
behind Joan of Arc
1347: Defining health
issue of the Middle
Ages-The Black Death
 Bubonic plague that
struck Italy first and
spread north over the
next 2-3 centuries
 Peasant revolts further
weakened feudal
system
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Supply and Demand At Work
If free peasants/serfs are dying off because of
plague, who is affected?
What advantages do peasants have since
they are so few of them?
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Church problems will lead
to people living a life less
dependent on Church
instruction
The Black Death greatly
reduced population and
led to Economic
opportunity
People started to shun
everything that was
deemed from the “Dark
Ages”
Classic pursuits were
followed (things from
Greece and Rome)