1. 7th Grade Social Studies
The Power of Kings
7th Grade Social Studies

2. Nation Building
Kings ruled kingdoms but the wealthiest lords also had great power
Some nobles/lords had more land, vassals, and knights than his king
The nobles’ power was based on the feudal system
If the feudal system declined, so would the nobles’ power

3. Decline of Feudalism Reasons for the decline of feudalism
1. The Growth of Trade and Towns
Kings support new towns to make money
Towns get rich and support the the king against troublesome nobles
2. Crusades Weaken Nobles
Many nobles gave up land to join the crusades
Many nobles died fighting and kings claimed their land

4. Birth of Nations
Instead of a patchwork of fiefs, large areas of Europe became united under a single king
Large kingdoms eventually turned into nations
Nation: a community of people that shares territory and a government
Common language and culture also unite people as a nation
Nation Building: the process of combining smaller communities into a single nation with a national identity and a national government

5. Kings and Nations
A royal marriage (between Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon) united the two largest kingdoms in Spain
In Russia rulers called tsars gained power over nobles
In France a long line of kings slowly gained power
In England William the Conqueror was a strong ruler that increased the power of a king
The nobles resented this power
The following kings continue to increase the power of kings until…..

6. The Magna Carta In 1199 King John takes over England
He angers nobles by:
Taxing heavily and jailing enemies without trial
He angers the church by:
Taking church property
In 1215 nobles (backed by clergymen) presented King John with a list of their demands
This document was the Magna Carta and it limited the king’s power
John was forced to sign
Limited king’s ability to tax and jail men without just cause

7. The Hundred Years War Fought between France and England
Lasted from 1337 – 1453 (…116 Years War?)
Causes:
Changing boundaries between France and Britain due to marriages and inheritance
Both want control of the English Channel
Disputes over trade routes
England wins most battles in the beginning, but Joan of Arc helps turn things around for France

8. Effects of the Hundred Years’ War
New weapons: Longbows and cannons
Kings need large armies not just bands of knights
Feelings of nationalism grow
Nationalism: a feeling of pride in one’s country
Modern boundaries between France and England were set
England seeks land elsewhere for trade and conquest
Feudalism fades away and Europe becomes a continent of nations