The Rise of Nation-States

THE RISE OF NATION-STATES

Middle Ages: Europe

Rise of Nation StatesBackground: European monarchies

consolidated power and began forming nation-states in the late medieval period.

Nation-states are large groups of people who are ruled by one central government, who share a common language and who feel a sense of loyalty to the group.

England1. William the Conqueror – leader of the

Norman Conquest united most of England after the Battle of

Hastings 2. Common Law had its beginnings during

the reign of Henry II

England3. King John signed the Magna Carta in

1215 which limited the King’s power, gave more power to nobles: **Parliament**

4. The Hundred Years War between England and France helped define England as a nation.

France1. Hugh Capet established the French

throne in Paris, and his dynasty gradually expanded their control over most of France.

2. The Hundred Years War between England and France helped define France as a nation.

France3. Joan of Arc was a unifying factor God told her kick the English out Won at Orleans – huge turning point Captured, condemned as a witch and a

heretic Burned at the stake 1431

Spain

1. Ferdinand & Isabella unified the country and expelled Muslim Moors during a time called the Reconquista

2. Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere expanded under Phillip II

Russia

1. Ivan the Great – Threw off the rule of the Mongols Centralized power in Moscow Expanded the Russian nation

Russia

2. Power was centralized in the hands of the tsar.

3. The Orthodox Church influenced unification

The CrusadesBackground: The Crusades were carried out by Christian political & religious leaders to take control of the Holy Land from the Muslims

Economic Causes Younger sons looking for land

and the ability to increase social status

Merchants made $ by making loans and leasing ships

Increase trade with Muslim traders

Religious Causes Crusaders were guaranteed a

place in Heaven Reclaim Holy Land for

Christianity

Pope Urban II•The pope promised remission of sins: “All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.” (Council of Clermont- 1095)

1st Crusade Recaptured Jerusalem 1099 Established the Crusader

states:JerusalemEdessaTripoliAntioch

Crusades 2nd: 1147- Edessa was attacked by

Muslims

3rd: 1187- Saladin retakes JerusalemKing Richard the Lion-Hearted vs. Saladin

=truce

4th: 1204- Sack of Constantinople

Effects of the Crusades1. Weakened the Pope; strengthened

Monarchs2. Stimulated trade throughout the

Mediterranean area and the Middle East3. Left a legacy of bitterness among

Christians, Jews, and Muslims 4. Weakened the Byzantine Empire

The Black Death:Background: In the fourteenth century, the Black Death (or Bubonic Plague) destroyed the population of much of Asia and then the population of much of Europe.

Symptoms

•Buboes (Bubonic Plague) of groin, neck , arms oozed and bled•Fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, etc. •80% died within first week of contracting the disease.

Economic and Social impact of the Black Death in much of Asia and Europe

1. Decline in population – 1/3 of Europe died

2. Scarcity of Labor – not enough people to work , farms abandoned

3. Towns freed from feudal obligations – feudalism breaking downSerfs left manors in search of better wages

Economic and Social impact of the Black Death in much of Asia and Europe

4. Decline of church influence – prayers failed to stop the plaguePriests wouldn’t perform services for those

who were dying 5. Disruption of trade – declined as prices

rose, less people willing to travel