feudalism called social system that existed in Europe V - XVII centuries.In each country, it had its own characteristics, but the phenomenon is usually considered on the example of France and Germany.Period of feudalism in Russia has a time frame that are different from the European.For many years, local historians deny its existence, but were wrong.In fact, feudal institutions did not exist except in the Byzantine Empire.
little about the term
concept of "feudalism" was coined by European scientists on the eve of the French Revolution.Thus, the term has appeared just when Western European feudalism, in fact, ended.The word is derived from the Late «feodum« ("feudal").This concept appears in the official documents of the Middle Ages and represents the conditional inherited land ownership, which receives from the vassal lord in case performs in relation to him any commitments (the latter usually involve military service).
historians do not immediately able to identify common features of the social system.Many important details have not been taken into account.However, to the XXI century, thanks to the system analysis, the scientists were finally able to give an exhaustive definition of this complex phenomenon.
Feature feudalism
The main value of the pre-industrial world - it land.But the owner of the land (feudal lord) was not engaged in agriculture.He had another obligation - the service (or a prayer).Land cultivated farmer.Although he had his own house, livestock and implements, the land did not belong to him.It was economically dependent on their master, and therefore bore some guilt in his favor.Still, the farmer was not a slave.He had relative freedom, and to control them, the feudal lord has involved non-economic mechanisms of coercion.
During the Middle Ages were not equal class.The landlord in the era of feudalism had more rights than the holder of the land, ie. E. The farmer.In his possession was a feudal absolute monarch.He could punish and pardon.Thus, land ownership in this period was closely linked with the political capabilities (power).
course, economic dependence is mutual: in fact, a farmer fed lord, who himself worked.
feudal ladder
structure of the ruling class in the era of feudalism can be defined as a hierarchy.The feudal lords were not equal, but they are exploited peasants.The relationship between the owners of the land were based on interdependence.On the top step of the stairs was a feudal king, who complained of land dukes and earls, and in exchange demanded loyalty from them.Dukes and earls, in turn, allocates land barons (lords, seers, seniors), in relation to which the Lord is.The barons had power over the knights knights - at squires.Thus, the feudal lords, who were in the bottom of the ladder, were the feudal lords, the next higher.
There is a saying: "The vassal of my vassal - not my vassal."This meant that a knight serving any baron, is not obliged to obey the king.Thus, the power of the king during the disintegration was relative.The landlord in the era of feudalism - own master.His political ability to define the size of the allotment.
genesis of feudalism (V - IX century)
development of feudalism was made possible by the decline of Rome and the conquest of the Western Roman Empire Germanic tribes (barbarians).The new social system evolved from Roman tradition (centralized state, slavery, colonate, a universal system of law) and the characteristics of the Germanic tribes (the presence of ambitious leaders, militancy, the inability to manage the vast country).
At the time of the conquerors was the primitive communal system: all the land of the tribe were in charge of the community and distributed among its members.Seizing the new land, the military leaders tried to hold them individually and, moreover, pass them by inheritance.In addition, many farmers were ruined, villages were subjected to raids.So they were forced to look for a gentleman, because the landlord in the era of feudalism, not only gave them the opportunity to work (including itself), but also protects against enemies.So monopolization of land upper classes.Farmers have become dependent.
heyday of feudalism (X - XV century)
Even in the IX century there was a collapse of the empire of Charlemagne.Each county, Signora, the estate has become a kind of state.This phenomenon is called "feudal fragmentation".
During this period, the Europeans are beginning to actively explore the new land.Developing commodity-money relations, of peasants stand artisans.Thanks to craftsmen and traders appear and grow the city.In many countries (eg in Italy and Germany), peasants, formerly completely dependent overlords, get free - a relative or complete.Many of the knights going to the Crusades, to let their serfs.
At this time, the church has become a pillar of the secular power, and the Christian religion - the ideology of the Middle Ages.So the landlord in the era of feudalism - it is not only a knight (Baron, Duke, Lord), and member of the clergy (Abbot, Bishop).
crisis of feudal relations (XV - XVII century)
end of the previous period was marked by peasant uprisings.They were the result of social tensions.In addition, the development of trade and migration from villages to cities led to the fact that the position of the landowners began to weaken.
In other words, natural and economic foundations were undermined by the rise of the aristocracy.Sharpened the contradictions between secular feudal lords and clergy.With the development of science and culture of the Church power over the minds of the people ceased to be absolute.In the XVI-XVII centuries in Europe there was the Reformation.There are new religious movements, which stimulated the development of business and did not condemn private property.
Europe in the late feudalism is the battle between the kings who are not satisfied with their symbolic power, the clergy, the aristocracy and the townspeople.Social contradictions have led to revolutions XVII-XVIII centuries.
Russian feudalism
In times of Kievan Rus' (from the VIII to the XIII century) feudalism really was not.Princely tenure was carried out on the basis of priority.When one of the members of the princely family died, his lands occupied younger relative.Behind him was a squad.The guards received a salary, but the territory would not be tied to them and, of course, not inherited: the land was in excess, and she did not have a special price.
In the XIII century, the era of resistivity-princely Rus.It is characterized by fragmentation.Possession of princes (inheritance) became hereditary.Princes have found personal power and the right to personal (rather than generic) property.It makes a class of large landowners - boyars, any vassal relationship.But the peasants were still free.However XVI century they were attached to the ground.The era of feudalism in Russia ended in the same time, as fragmentation was overcome.But such a relic of her, like feudalism, persisted until 1861.
Nuances
Both in Europe and in Russia, the feudal period ended around the 16th century.But some elements of this system, for example, in Italy or fragmentation of serfdom in the Russian Empire, which lasted until the mid 19th century.One of the main differences between the European and Russian feudalism is that the enslavement of the peasantry in Russia occurred only when the villeins in the West have already received relative freedom.
