Nation-States Defined

A nation-state is an area with defined borders whose inhabitants share a common cultural background and a central government. In the late medieval period, European monarchies consolidated power and began forming nation-states as they expanded territories. Prominent nation-states that emerged in Europe during this period included England, France, Spain, and Russia.

For the duration of this topic, you will explore details about each of these nation-states. As you examine the content, use the Nation-States Guide to help you keep track of the distinctive political developments of each centralized monarchy. After completing the topic, compare your descriptions with a coursemate's.

England

The name England is older than the nation itself. It comes from the Old English name Englaland, or "land of the Angles." The Angles were one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Great Britain during the Early Middle Ages; however, England's first steps in becoming a nation-state occurred after the death of the Anglo-Saxon King Edward. In this interactivity, you will discover why King Edward's death was one event that prompted England to become a nation-state, as well as other causes and consequences. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of this interactivity.

France

Due to events surrounding Hugh Capet, Charles VII, and Louis XI, along with leaders and technologies that came out of the Hundred Years' War, France was another area to unify as a nation-state during the High Middle Ages. In this interactivity, you will learn details of this progression. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of this interactivity.

Spain

The foundation of Spain's nation-state was based on the marriage between King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile in 1469 A.D. (C.E.), which united two large kingdoms of Spain and formed the basis of unification fulfilled by their grandson Charles V. In an effort to unify Spain under one religion, Ferdinand and Isabella ordered the expulsion of all Jews and Moors from Spain if they refused to convert to Christianity. The Moors were Muslims of mixed Berber and Arab ancestry who had invaded and occupied Spain since the eighth century. The Jews and Moors who refused to convert were imprisoned and tortured. This institution became known as the Spanish Inquisition.

Ferdinand and Isabella also wanted to expand the nation of Spain. In 1492 A.D. (C.E.), they authorized the expedition of Christopher Columbus, who sailed to the Americas and claimed territory for Spain. The colonies and conquests that followed this initial expedition by Columbus brought great wealth to Spain. King Charles V continued to expand the Spanish Empire across the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the East Indies. The legacy of the Spanish conquest is still evident today in the fact that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, with more than four hundred million native speakers.

Russia

Since the thirteenth century A.D. (C.E.), the Mongols of northern Asia dominated Russia. In this interactivity, you will discover how Russia became unified as a nation-state, beginning in the fourteenth century when Ivan I enlarged the Moscow kingdom, and continuing with events prompted by Ivan III, intellectual growth, and the development of a centralized government. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of this interactivity.

 

The Rise of Nation-States Review

Now that you have explored the rise of nation-states during the High Middle Ages, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.