FREE ESSAY ON FEUDALISM

FEUDALISM

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. Feudalism's 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 people's 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.