How did the Hundred Years’ War contributed to the rise of centralized monarchies

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• National Identity: The war fostered a sense of national identity in both England and France as people rallied behind their respective monarchs against a common enemy.

Decline of Feudalism:

• Economic Strain: The war's financial burden on nobles forced them to sell land and rely more on cash payments from peasants. This led to a decline in the traditional feudal land-based power structure.
• Rise of Mercenary Armies: The use of professional soldiers paid directly by monarchs eroded the feudal system's reliance on knights obligated to fight for their lords.
• Shifting Power: Power shifted from the landed elite to the emerging merchant class who financed the war efforts and gained influence at court.

New Military Technology:

• Longbow: The English longbow, with its superior range and rate of fire, proved devastating against heavily armored French knights in early battles like Crécy (1346) and Agincourt (1415).
• Gunpowder: The use of cannons and firearms grew throughout the war, foreshadowing their dominance in future conflicts.
• Improved Fortifications: The development of stronger fortifications, like those employed by Joan of Arc at Orléans (1429), forced attackers to adopt new siege tactics.

Who Won? The war ultimately ended with a French victory. England lost most of its continental holdings except Calais. Changes in Europe:

• Rise of Nationalism: The Hundred Years' War fostered a sense of national identity in England and France, paving the way for the development of nation-states.
• Decline of Chivalry: The brutality and realities of the war challenged the ideals of chivalry associated with earlier medieval warfare.
• Economic and Social Disruption: The war caused widespread destruction, famine, and social unrest across Europe. This period also saw outbreaks of the Black Death, further impacting demographics and social structures.

The Hundred Years' War marked a turning point in European history, weakening feudalism and ushering in the rise of centralized monarchies, nationalism, and new military technologies that would shape the course of future conflicts.  

Sample Answer

     

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), a protracted conflict between England and France, had a profound impact on European society, particularly in the following aspects:

Rise of Centralized Monarchies:

• Weakening of the Nobility: The war demanded vast resources and manpower. Monarchs relied heavily on taxation and standing armies, weakening the power of feudal lords who previously held significant military power.
• Increased Royal Authority: Kings like Charles VII of France consolidated power by centralizing tax collection and administration. This strengthened their position relative to the dispersed feudal system.