The Hundred Years War affect to Modern World - Research Paper Example

English Literature ic and Modern), Research Paper Topic: The Hundred Years War affect to Modern World Introduction The end of war is like the end of a major earthquake. It causes tremendous destruction, and a series of aftershocks follow. Multifarious problems challenge from all directions and it takes much time for a country to recoup its original state of ‘health.’ Christopher Allmand argues, “The influence of the “Annales,” school of historical writing has been largely to place the study of war in the wider social, economic, and cultural background of the societies in which it was fought, to make war part of ‘total’ history.” (1) The Hundred Years’ War began in 1337 and finally it terminated in 1453. As the war progressed, along with it the science of weaponry employed in the war also changed drastically. Mounted knights were replaced by canons and gunpowder. Battles of different intensities were fought and they went through different phases. The Hundred Years War united the people of nations and a new spirit of nationalism was born with the abolition feudalism, and the structural changes in administrative and military set up. In England civil bureaucracy got strengthened, and for both the countries, it was a period of transition from the medieval to the threshold of the early pre-modern period. The Hundred Years War: Decline of Medieval Warfare and the reasons therefor: Medieval warfare was the integral part of life in Europe during the fourteenth and first half of the fifteenth century. The nobles exercised power by either birthright or as their inborn status as warrior class. The role of the commoners was subservient and they served the Kings as archers on call. By participating in some important battles, that practice proved disastrous for France, and they realized the need to better the technical aspects of fighting to be victorious in war. The French forces suffered heavy losses against the super war tactics of English army who took position on a hill and fought with dismounted knights. French forces included mounted knights. Describing one such battle Matthew Bennet writes, “ On the evening of 24th October 1415….Against all expectations the battle that followed would turn out to be a decisive victory for the English, fought in a field near the village that was to give it the name—Agincourt.”(7)In short, The Hundred Years War was a land battle of two monarchies. In modern times, a war of this genre and for long period would never happen; taking into consideration the destructive power of present-day weapons and such prolonged conflicts would not be supported by the democratic governments. The last prolonged major war between several nations, World War II, culminated in employing the nuclear weapons to end the war, and Japan was powerless to engage America in a prolonged war. Effects of The Hundred Years War on Military Traditions. Allmand further argues, “In France and England, it was the breakdown of the historic feudal order, no longer able to meet the demands of changing times, and its gradual replacement by an order of nations increasingly aware of their growing national characteristics.”(7)The rules and mode of conflict changed. Canons and gunpowder impacted the military strategies. The military donned a new face in Europe. Trained gunners replaced the bowmen. Western European history was impacted significantly in social, intellectual and cultural areas. The English employed tactics of total war against the French population and economy and its effect on both sides were quite devastating. During this period England had also to encounter the bloodiest civil war known as the War of Roses. Geographical Effects The Hundred Years War did not mean that the war progressed for hundred years without intermission. There were a series of wars with uneasy peace interludes. But the unresolved issues about the struggle continued for a century. Many important problems beyond the battles cropped up, and the process that was set in motion resulted in the emancipation of the two nations from the feudal and dynastic hold. The importance of English language increased, and by the end of war, French was replaced as the primary language of English courts to be replaced by English. This period also saw the growth of English nation and culture. In the pre- war period, England and France were bound together with feudal ties, but at the end of the war, they were two distinctly separate nations. Along with far reaching social and military changes, the new geographical boundaries of the two nations were defined. Allmand writes, “Finally, war served to bring all members of a society, soldiers and civilian, under the umbrella of national conscience.”(4) Their emotions were channelized to achieve a common goal. Effects of war on England and France The Hundred Years War had wrecked France. The common citizens were severely affected due to the cruelties of the soldiers serving lords and they pillaged to survive and for personal aggrandizement of wealth. People were massacred; taxes were raised to meet the expenses of maintaining the army. A section of the people was benefited from the increased military expenditure. Gunpowder and technology were used to modernize the army. The damaged economy was put on the road to recovery. England though began the war with more organized tax structure as compared to France, the royal revenues fell greatly on account of the war, and it lost the wealthy French regions like Normandy and Aquitaine. A section of Englishmen, amassed wealth with plundered riches from France, and they began to build houses and Churches. The legacy of war The influence of common citizens increased with the importance and powers exercised by the parliaments. The wars were fought on the French soil, and English people did not experience the devastation and dislocation of economic and social life as compared to Frenchmen. The policies of taxation caused the real impact and hardship. Fighting the war abroad resulted in high government expenditure. Intense publicity for the war efforts inculcated a sense of patriotism and strengthened English identity. Religion played an important role in boosting the morale of the soldiers. After fighting with each other for a century, both the countries emerged stronger with well-structured central governments. Nobility was on the wane, the system of feudalism ended. As for strategies, with the experience gained in the war, both the countries updated their military strategies and tactics. Even with fewer resources as compared to France, England shaped well, and an era of naval prowess commenced, and it managed to assert it at sea. Another important development during and post-war period was the revival of religious practices. A number of religious leaders began to take part in political activities. Allmmand writes, “We need to know why there was a war, and what factors in the early fourteenth century were influential in encouraging it.”(3)The discerning student of history visualized the implications that impacted both the countries even today. Conclusion Politically the war proved to be the second birth for both the countries with the creation of centralized governments. Militarily, the dominance of the long bow ended and it made room for the modern weapons and advanced techniques in tandem with the new strategies of war. Professional armies took over the feudal system. It was the most precedent-shattering pre-industrial war by far. It had impact on the neighboring countries like Spain too. The loss of civilian and combatants was enormous on three counts, battle, famine and disease. In the pre-war period, nationalism was not a favored concept, but it became the positive force and both the countries had something positive to think about and reshape their identities. The crisis of France turned into an opportunity for the nation; it developed an efficient and rewarding tax system and created the first standing army of Europe. France dominated the political scene of Europe in the ensuing centuries. Works Cited Allmand, Christopher. The Hundred Years War: England and France at War c.1300-c.1450 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks): UK, Cambridge University Press, 1988 Bennet, Matthew. Agincourt 1415: Triumph Against the Odds. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 1999 Read More