CONTENT STATEMENT
- With the decline of feudalism, consolidation of power resulted in the emergence of nation states.
CONTENT ELABORATION
There were many causes of the decline of feudalism in Western Europe, including the impact of trade that developed as a result of the Crusades, the transition from a land-based economy to a money-based economy, the growth of towns and the increase in centralized governments. Kings began to consolidate power, lessening the power of nobles. This led to the rise of nation states.
As monarchs of the other European nation states consolidated power, the lesser nobles of England limited the authority of their king by forcing him to sign the Magna Carta. Consequently, the power of English monarchs was not as absolute as their European counterparts.
The Magna Carta led to the development of democratic principles that would eventually influence the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how the decline of feudalism in Western Europe and consolidation of power resulted in the emergence of nation states.