AP World History POD #14 – Age of Transition

1. AP World HistoryPOD #14 – Age of Transition England, France & Germany

2. Class Discussion Questions McKay – “Political Revival”, pp. 265-268 McKay – “Medieval Origins of the Modern State”, pp. 332 McKay – “Unification and Communication”, pp. 332-339 McKay – “Finance”, pp. 339-340 McKay- “Law and Justice”, pp. 341-346

3. What steps did William the Conqueror take to bring social, political, and economic stability to England? • Before the invasion by the Vikings England had never before been united under a single ruler • As a result of the Viking invasion England gradually came under one ruler • William of Normandy made feudalism as a system of government work – vassals were attached to the land – terms of service for knights were fixed – enforcement of the law was upheld • By 1066 the Norman frontier was stable and feudalism created a defined hierarchy – it had become an orderly and well controlled principality • Battle of Hastings (1066) – claimed the throne of England • Divided the land among his Norman followers • Each district was assigned a military quota • Followers has to pledge an oath of loyalty • Used the Sheriff to enforce his orders and collect taxes • Issued his orders through Writ (decree)

4. What was the Domesday Book? • A collection of surveys called for by William the Conqueror • Measured everything in the empire • Used to levy taxes • Used to levy military obligations • The greatest record of medieval England – socially and economically

5. What controversy surrounded Thomas Beckett as Archbishop of Cantebury? • Thomas Beckett was chosen as Archbishop of Cantebury by Henry II in 1162 • Henry believed he would offer reliable support • Beckett opposed the attempt to bring people under the jurisdiction of the royal court – he did not want the clergy to be subject to royal laws • Beckett excommunicated one of the King’s vassals showing he could arbitrarily deny the king his military • In a rage, Henry II wished Beckett to be killed- four knights loyal to the king granted his wish (December 1170) • The assassination turned public opinion against the king

6. What fateful decision did King John I have to make? • Ruled during the early 1200s • Faced extreme economic and financial difficulty caused by rampant inflation, the need to pay a large ransom to secure the release of the great Crusader Richard the Lionhearted • Raised taxes to meet these financial obligations • Threatened to revoke local charters of self-government • All of this resulted in the revolt of local barons

7. What was the long term impact of the Magna Carta on the political development of England? • “Great Charter” • King John was forced to sign in 1215 to end a revolt by the barons • Designed to redress the grievances of the barons, clergy, and London merchants • Effectively limited the power of the king • The law applied to all – king included • 1215-1485 each new king reaffirmed these principles • Over time it was used to protect the rights of the under privileged and underclass

8. What steps did Otto I take to bring social, political, and economic stability to Germany? • Defeated the Hungarians in the Battle of Lechfield (955 AD) becoming a legendary hero in Germany • Asserted the king’s right to control church appointments – lay investiture • Before taking a clerical position – bishops, priests, etc. had to undertake an act of feudal homage • This gave the king great control and influence over the church (at the church’s expense) • Used the church for financial gain • Coronation by the Pope in 962 AD – set the stage for the revival of the Holy Roman Empire

9. What were the inherent problems in unifying Germany? • A regional history • Territorial lordship • The land acquired by Otto I was too large to be governed effectively • Confederacy – a weak union between the stronger provinces provided a common bond • The controversy over lay investiture helped solidify power in the hands of the territorial lords • The power of the territorial lords was strengthened as a result of the expanding German economy in the 12th and 13th centuries

10. What was the social, political, and economic agenda of Frederick Barbarossa? • Elected emperor in 1152 AD • Required all vassals to take and oath of loyalty • Grew enamored with all the wealth of Northern Italy • He had little interest in Germany • Italy was rich from commerce and trade • Recognized local municipal authority to quell revolts • Germany and Italy remained separate • Created University of Naples to train bureaucrats • Bureaucrats emphasized rigid principles of Roman Law as outlined in the Justinian Code

11. What steps did Phillip II take to bring social, political and economic stability to France? • “Augustus” – expanded the French kingdom • By the 13th century most of the provinces of modern France had been brought into the kingdom • Medieval beliefs that taxes should only by levied by the king in times of grave national emergency • The king should live off his land and income • France was slow to develop a central financial agency • Each French province retained its own local laws and procedures

12. How did Louis IX strengthen the power and control of the monarch in France? • Created a loyal judicial system where local rulings could be appealed • Through the appeals process the people were giving up local authority to national authority