Research Notes: Eastern Europe

Question

Important people/groups
Important Facts about the Development of Feudalism:
Important dates
Important places
Social structure
Political structure
Economic structure

Research Notes: Western Europe
Important people/groups
Important Facts about the Development of Feudalism:
Important dates
Important places
Social structure
Political structure
Economic structure

Discuss two similarities and two differences between feudalism in Eastern and Western Europe.

In a 3-5 sentence paragraph, do you feel the Eastern and Western European feudal systems were more similar or more different? Why do you think so? Support your opinion with facts

2. Use the next slide to record your source information for MLA citations later.
Author &/or editor (last name first):
“Title of article” (in quotation marks):
Title of website (in italics):
Publisher Name:
Date of resource creation:
URL:
Date of access:

Answer 1

Research Notes: Eastern Europe

• Important people/groups: Slavic tribes, Byzantines, local nobility, Mongols (Golden Horde), Kievan Rus princes.
• Important Facts about the Development of Feudalism:
  • Emerged in the 9th century amidst invasions and political fragmentation.
  • Heavily influenced by Byzantine models and the interaction with nomadic tribes.
  • Land was granted in exchange for military service and loyalty often tied to local landlords.
• Important dates:
  • 9th century: Formation of the Kievan Rus and initial feudal structures.
  • 1240: Mongol invasion leading to the Golden Horde's control.
• Important places: Kievan Rus, Novgorod, Poland, Hungary, Prague.
• Social structure: King/Prince at the top, followed by nobles (boyars), free peasants, and serfs at the bottom.
• Political structure: Decentralized power with significant authority held by local nobility, who often wielded power independently.
• Economic structure: Primarily agrarian, with serfs working the land owned by nobles; trade routes involved with Byzantine and Mongolian markets.

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Research Notes: Western Europe

• Important people/groups: Charlemagne, feudal lords, vassals, the Church (especially the Pope), knights.
• Important Facts about the Development of Feudalism:
  • Established in the 9th century as a response to Viking, Muslim, and Magyar invasions.
  • Involves a system of land tenure based on service, loyalty, and protection.
  • Strong influence of the Catholic Church in legitimizing and maintaining social hierarchy.
• Important dates:
  • 843: Treaty of Verdun, which split Charlemagne’s empire and led to localized feudalism.
  • 1066: Norman Conquest, which further solidified feudal relationships in England.
• Important places: France, England, Germany, Italy.
• Social structure: Monarchs at the top, followed by nobles, knights, and peasants/serfs at the bottom.
• Political structure: Feudal contracts between lords and vassals; kings held nominal power but often relied on local lords.
• Economic structure: Manorial system where the lord’s estate served as the basic economic unit; peasants worked the land in exchange for protection.

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Similarities between Feudalism in Eastern and Western Europe:

1. Both systems were characterized by a hierarchical structure where land ownership determined power and status, with a king/monarch at the top, followed by nobles and peasants or serfs at the bottom.
2. In both regions, the feudal system emerged as a response to external threats and invasions, leading to the decentralization of power and the formation of local governance.

Differences between Feudalism in Eastern and Western Europe:

1. Eastern European feudalism was more heavily influenced by external forces, such as the Byzantine Empire and nomadic tribes, whereas Western European feudalism developed largely as a response to barbarian invasions without a strong Byzantine influence.
2. Social mobility was generally more restricted in Eastern Europe, where serfdom became more pronounced and tied to the land, while Western Europe allowed more opportunities for individuals, particularly knights, to rise in status through military service and loyalty.

Paragraph: In evaluating the feudal systems of Eastern and Western Europe, I believe they were more similar than different. Both systems developed a hierarchical structure based on land ownership and military service as a response to external threats. However, primarily due to historical influences, Eastern Europe's feudal system showcased a stronger reliance on serfdom and a lack of social mobility, contrasting with the more dynamic nature of Western European feudalism where opportunities for advancement existed through service and loyalty. This distinction highlights underlying social and economic differences but does not overshadow the foundational role feudalism played in both regions.

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Source Information for MLA Citations (Example Data):

• Author &/or editor (last name first): Johnson, Mark.
• “Title of article” (in quotation marks): “The Rise of Feudalism in Eastern and Western Europe.”
• Title of website (in italics): History of Europe.
• Publisher Name: European History Consortium.
• Date of resource creation: April 1, 2023.
• URL: www.historyofeurope.org/feudalism
• Date of access: October 23, 2023.