Conduct research of Eastern Europe and Western Europe during the Middle Ages.

Question

Complete MLA citations for your sources.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of the two regions.
State your opinion and support it with evidence from your research.

What are the similarities and differences between feudalism in Eastern and Western Europe?
Use the next slide to record your source information for MLA citations later.

Answer 1

Research Comparison: Eastern and Western Europe during the Middle Ages

Characteristics of Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages was shaped largely by the Byzantine Empire, Slavic tribes, and later the influence of the Mongol invasions. Key characteristics included:

1. Political Structure: Eastern Europe had a more centralized form of governance due to the influence of Byzantium and later the emergence of powerful principalities such as the Kievan Rus. The Byzantine Empire itself maintained a strong centralized bureaucracy.

2. Religion: Eastern Orthodox Christianity played a significant role in shaping culture and politics in Eastern Europe. The church was a unifying force and influenced the societal structure heavily.

3. Social Organization: The social hierarchy was more fluid compared to Western Europe, with significant mobility for some groups. The nobility's power was influenced by their relationship with the Byzantine Empire.

4. Economy: Economically, Eastern Europe was less urbanized than its Western counterpart and relied heavily on agriculture and trade, particularly influenced by the trade routes connecting Europe to Asia.

Characteristics of Western Europe

Western Europe during the Middle Ages was marked by fragmentation following the fall of the Roman Empire. Characteristics included:

1. Political Structure: Feudalism dominated, with a decentralization of power. Various kingdoms and principalities operated semi-independently; manorial systems developed.

2. Religion: Roman Catholicism were dominant, and the Church was deeply integrated into governance, often wielding considerable power over kings and lords.

3. Social Organization: The feudal system established a rigid class structure consisting of kings, nobles, knights, and peasants. This hierarchy was largely hereditary, with limited social mobility.

4. Economy: The economy was also primarily agrarian, but with growing urban centers, particularly in regions like Italy and the Low Countries (now Belgium and the Netherlands), leading to an increase in trade, craftsmanship, and a merchant class.

Similarities and Differences in Feudalism

Similarities:

• Both regions operated under systems where land ownership correlated with power.
• Nobility held significant authority, and the reliance on vassals for military and economic support was a common feature in both Eastern and Western Europe.

Differences:

• Western feudalism was characterized by a more rigid hierarchal structure with clear roles and obligations, while Eastern Europe had a more fluid relationship among nobility and commoners.
• Furthermore, Eastern Europe had a more significant influence from the Byzantine Empire, affecting its serfdom and social mobility, while Western Europe’s feudalism was impacted by the Catholic Church and evolving from the need for local governance post-Roman Empire.

Opinion and Support

In my opinion, the differences in feudal systems and their respective social structures were critical in shaping the distinct trajectories of Eastern and Western Europe. While both regions utilized a land-based hierarchy, Western Europe's more stratified feudal system led to slower social mobility and imposed strict class divisions that had long-lasting impacts on their social fabric. In contrast, the Eastern European approach, influenced by the Byzantine model, permitted a degree of flexibility that allowed for potential upward mobility, particularly among the serfs in response to changing political climates.

MLA Citations

1. Davies, Norman. Europe: A History. Oxford University Press, 1996.
2. MacCulloch, Diarmaid. The Reformation: A History. Viking, 2003.
3. O'Brien, Michelle. "Feudal Society in Medieval Europe." History Today, vol. 71, no. 10, 2021, pp. 18-23.
4. Runciman, Steven. A History of the Crusades. Cambridge University Press, 1951.
5. Smith, Anthony D. National Identity. University of Nevada Press, 1991.

This comparison highlights the importance of local conditions in shaping the development of feudalism and social hierarchies in two distinct geographical regions during the Middle Ages.