Eastern Europe
Western Europe
Important
People/Groups
Important
Facts about
the
Development of Feudalism
Important
Dates
Important
Places
Social
Structure
Political
Structure
Economic
Structure
Eastern Europe:
Important People/Groups:
- Slavic tribes: The Slavs were an important ethnic group that inhabited Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. They played a significant role in the formation of Eastern European countries.
- Mongols: The Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan and later his descendants, conquered many Eastern European territories, including parts of Russia and Ukraine.
- Orthodox Church: The Orthodox Church had a strong presence in Eastern Europe and played a major role in the region's religious and cultural development.
Important Facts about the Development of Feudalism:
- Feudalism developed in Eastern Europe later than in Western Europe, partially due to the influence of the Mongol invasions.
- The collapse of centralized empires, such as the Byzantine Empire, led to the rise of feudalism in Eastern Europe.
- Serfdom was widespread in Eastern Europe, where peasants were tied to the land and had limited rights and freedoms.
Important Dates:
- 9th-10th centuries: The conversion of Eastern Slavic tribes to Christianity, primarily under the influence of Byzantine missionaries.
- 1240-1480: Mongol domination in parts of Eastern Europe.
Important Places:
- Kievan Rus: The medieval state that existed in Eastern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century. It was centered in present-day Ukraine and Belarus.
- Novgorod: An important city in Kievan Rus and a center of trade and culture.
- Moscow: The rise of Moscow as a principality marked the beginning of Russia's ascent as a dominant power in Eastern Europe.
Social Structure:
- The social structure in Eastern Europe was hierarchical, with the ruling nobility at the top, followed by the lower nobility, merchants, and peasants at the bottom.
- Serfdom was prevalent, with peasants being tied to the land and having limited mobility or social upward mobility.
Political Structure:
- In the early medieval period, Eastern Europe was primarily organized into feudal states ruled by local princes or dukes.
- With the decline of the Byzantine Empire, new powers emerged, such as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland.
Economic Structure:
- Agriculture was the dominant economic activity in Eastern Europe, with the majority of the population engaged in farming.
- Trade routes, such as the Amber Road, connected Eastern Europe to Western Europe and facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas.