The Rise and Fall of Feudalism: A Medieval Transformation
The Barbarian Invasions and the Frankish Kingdom
The Barbarian Invasions
Groups, including Germans who settled in the Gallias during the fifth century.
The Frankish Kingdom
- Clovis: The first king who unified the Frankish Kingdom.
- Charles Martel: Steward of the Franks.
- Pepin the Short: The first Carolingian king.
- Charlemagne: Considered one of the most important Carolingian kings of the Middle Ages, and creator of the Carolingian Empire.
The Rise and Expansion of Islam
The Arabs
Located in the northwest of Asia.
Major Cities: Medina (“City of the Prophet”) and Mecca (“Religious City”).
Main Ports: Muscat (Persian Gulf) and Aden (Red Sea).
Religion: Initially polytheistic, later transitioned to the monotheistic religion of Islam, introduced by Muhammad.
Arab Expansion
The expansion of Islam, often through holy war (Jihad), aimed to convert people to Islam and extend Muslim power.
Cultural Contributions of the Arabs
- Mathematics: Arabic numerals, decimal system, zero, algebra, geometry, trigonometry.
- Chemistry: The word “alchemy” (al-kimia), meaning chemical substance, and experimentation.
- Literature: One Thousand and One Nights, The Ring of the Dove.
- Philosophy: Averroes and Avicenna, influential philosophers of the Middle Ages.
- History: Ibn Khaldun, prominent historian.
- Geography and Astronomy: Al-Bitruji and Al-Zarqali, notable astronomers.
Islam
A monotheistic religion centered around submission to Allah. Followers are called Muslims.
The Quran: The sacred book of Islam, containing the teachings of Muhammad.
Principles of the Quran: Faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca, and almsgiving (Zakat).
Feudalism
Definition
A political, economic, and social system characterized by the concentration of power in the hands of landowners, with a hierarchical social structure. It emerged between the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Fief
A piece of land granted as a reward.
Origins of Feudalism
- Weakness of traditional monarchies.
- Influence of internal wars and conflicts.
Characteristics of Feudalism
- Political: Decentralization, sovereignty, feudal contract.
- Social: Hierarchy based on land ownership (high and low nobility, clergy, villeins, serfs).
- Economic: Land ownership concentrated in few hands, agricultural work, domestic animal breeding, castles and monasteries as centers of activity, manorial system.
Key Concepts
- Decentralization: Division of the kingdom into smaller units with their own authorities.
- Sovereignty: Power dynamics between lords and vassals.
- Feudal Contract: Agreement outlining duties and rights between lords and vassals.
- Vassalage: The institution defining power relationships during feudalism.
Social Classes and the Decline of Feudalism
Social Classes
King, high nobility, low nobility, villeins, and serfs (largest population).
Decline of Feudalism
- Rise of the merchant class.
- Expansionist ambitions of the clergy and feudal lords.
- Financing of the Crusades by feudal lords.
The Crusades and its Aftermath
The Crusades
Military campaigns undertaken by Christians, symbolized by the cross.
Causes of the Crusades
- Reaction of the Catholic Church to the expansion of Islam.
- Religious fanaticism.
- Need for new trade routes.
Consequences of the Crusades
- Political: Weakening of feudalism, rise of absolutist systems, weakening of Muslim power.
- Religious: Weakening of papal power, strengthening of Christian doctrine.
- Cultural: Exploration, rise of a new culture leading to the Renaissance.
- Economic: Development of trade routes, monetary circulation, trade fairs.
- Social: Emergence of the bourgeoisie.
The Rise of Cities and the Bourgeoisie
Bourgs
Large commercial and artisan cities.
Changing Feudal Classes
- King
- Nobility
- Bourgeoisie (merchants, bankers, artisans)
Formation of the State
Groups representing the bourgeoisie, professionals, peasants, serfs, and slaves.
Changes at the End of the Middle Ages
Political Changes
- Decline of feudalism, rise of centralized monarchies.
- Emergence of communal republics.
- Formation of national states (Spain, France, England).
Economic Changes
- Shift of trade from rural to urban.
- Monetary circulation and the rise of capitalism.
Social Changes
Emergence of guilds and associations.
Cultural Changes
- Formation of national languages and universities.
- Scholastic method of study.
- Carolingian Renaissance.
Major Literary Works
- Cantar de Mio Cid (Castilian epic poem)
- Decameron (Italian tales)
- Divine Comedy (Italian religious epic poem)
National Languages and Universities
National Languages
Influenced by Latin, leading to the development of Romance languages (Castilian, French, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian) and Germanic languages (English, German, Dutch).
Universities
Originated from schools and papal colleges.
Main Universities: Bologna and Paris.
Functions: Spread of culture and nationalism.
The Development of Capitalism
Capitalism
Based on trade and monetary circulation.
Types of Capitalism
- Industrial Capitalism: Manufacturing of products.
- Financial Capitalism: Bills of exchange, checks, bank loans.
- Commercial Capitalism: Trade and exhibitions.
Rebirth of Urban Life
Emergence of the bourgeoisie as the dominant social class.
- Urban life revived by the Crusades and the growth of bourgs.
- Bourgeoisie promoted trade and concentrated capitalist power.
- Bourgeoisie became the guardians of culture.