We are all familiar with the term feudalism. It was a medieval contractual relationship among the upper classes, by which a lord granted land to his men in return for military service. Feudalism was further distinguished by the confinements of political and economic power from the base of the castles, each of who rule the district in which it was located. This involved a division of governmental power spreading over various castle-dominated districts downward through the lesser nobles. The idea of feudalism has caused many historical scholars to debate on whether feudalism hampered the people of the medieval period or gave them a sense of direction. The intention of intertwining classes in order to serve a common goal sounds promising, but can also become easily corrupt under a crooked individual. Ideas of giving one wealthy landowner the power over hundreds of people can become almost Subdivided tyranny, with all those concerned caught deep within the chaos. Feudalisms decline proved that this form of hierarchal government would not suit the fellow man. For this reason, feudalism hindered the people of the Medieval Period. It mired the creation of an equal government, it created an immoral class system that degraded those involved, and took away from the idea of unity, which all nations need to survive.
Charlemagne was believed to have been the one who initially started the feudalism/fealty system in the medieval period. His vast empire was ruled independently by Dukes and vassals. Although Charlemagne believed the only way to control his land is by throwing his responsibilities on others, he was destroying the original concept of an equal government. How is it possible to pay homage to so many members of nobility? If you were the lowest serf, you had the lowest outlook on life (not to mention the government). People were reluctant to follow an individual purely based on his wealth and social stature. The people wanted a government that would represent them all, but were reduced to working in the fields or fighting battles for a Lord that you barely knew. The idea of an equal government probably would not arise until the time of democracy, but these feudalistic practices were nothing more than mild forms of tyranny. It is not viable to have more leaders than it is to have followers. The people of the day were confused- where were the ones that would stand up for the common man in government? Why, those people were polishing armor and grooming the horse, of course.
Along with the idea of feudalism came a great pyramid unto which everyone was divided and subdivided, based on importance in the big scheme of things. The lowest serf paid homage to his vassal, who paid allegiance to his Lord, who paid allegiance to his Duke, who all paid allegiance to the King. Serfs (peasants) were considered to be the lowliest of life forms that walked the earth. The only way to receive any recognition was to become involved in the larger hierarchy. With this evolution came political power, wealth, and the chance to lead a somewhat fulfilling life. It is debauched to place individuals into social classes that only degraded them as citizens and stripped them of their dignity. If raised by a peasant family, unless by some extremely rare act of God, you were to lead a life of poverty as a lowly peasant as well. No one wanted to look out for the little guy, which is the main reason why social stereotyping causes wars amongst countrymen.
The most hindering factor of feudalism is contractual relationship between groups of people; later segregating groups further and further until a point of utter recession. No country survives divided. The empire (or nation) must have a common goal, and more importantly, a common ground. Spreading power throughout the masses only causes those with power to want to attain more power- eventually becoming a self-appointed king. An ultimate evil prevails throughout divided groups of people; an evil that originates from greed. These people did not understand that the basis of all successful empires derives from unification amongst all its inhabitants. Feudalism further alienated groups apart, causing all to lose sight in the expanding of their nation, their homeland.
Although feudalism did reside in many peoples minds as the one true government, it proved to be a mistake. The short life of this practice ultimately shows the problems involved with the practices. Feudalism degraded people and their souls, prevented a chance of government advancement, and broke apart any bonds to unification- the basis of all great nations. The people of the medieval period were hindered by these practices. The practices were not evil, but ultimately immoral. Social equality only arrives when all are represented and all take part in the advancement of their nation. Even though we should not regress to feudalistic practices, we can simply learn from our mistakes and hopefully make educated decisions what will further the American cause and increasing the standard of living for all its inhabitants.
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