West Civ

HIS-101-GS-002

Assignment 2

What were the ‘disasters’ that Europe suffered during the fourteenth century, and what were their consequences?

There were three major disasters that Europe suffered during the fourteenth century: The Black Death, Revolts and Repression, and the Hundred Years’ War. The Black Death was a plague, in which to this day the medical cause of the disease is still being debated. Being introduced in 1348 it caused nearly 25 million deaths.

Revolts and repression was caused by the upper class, acting through government attempted to control wages. This caused the poor to become rebellious, forming a mass of insurrections in many towns, especially in Flanders. This caused the Governments and the rich to reply with “ferocious repression”. The poor got what they wanted in fair pay and benefits for their families.

The hundred years’ war began in 1337 between England and France. All of the battles took place in France. The English bombarded France taking out most of their soldiers. From about 1450 to 1485 England was beset by the upper class that was eventually called the War of the Roses.

Who were the ‘ New Monarchs’ that ruled in Europe during the second half of the fifteenth century, how did they justify their ambitions, and what effect did their ‘New Monarchies’ have on political, social, and religious beliefs?

The New Monarchs were The Tudors, The Valois’, and Aragon and Castile. The Tudors first king, Henry VII ended the Wars of the Roses after gaining throne by force. Henry VII passed laws against “livery and maintenance”, private armies who wore their insignia, and used them to protect against infractions from public. In France the ‘New Monarchy ‘the valois’ was represented by Louis X. Louis X also instated an army to protect the French borders. He raised taxation without preliminary consent. The Monarchy also enlarged its powers over the clergy. In spain Aragon and Castile were two kingdoms and two monarchs who ruled. To...