AP European History Summer Assignments:

What were the underlying and precipitating causes of the Hundred Years' War?

The Hundred Years’ War began because of 1. disputes over land and 2. succession debate over the French crown, as both Edward III of England and Philip VI of France claimed sovereignty.

What advantages did each side have?

The English had an advantage of better archers and better tactics, whereas the French had a bigger population (military) and they also had accumulated more wealth.

Why were the French finally able to drive the English almost entirely out of France?

The French were finally able to drive the English out because they had a better military strategy and they used better technology like guns.

What were the causes of the Black Death, and why did it spread so quickly throughout western Europe?

The Black Death was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was primarily spread through fleas that infested rats, as well as through human-to-human contact (just liked covid) in crowded living conditions. Additionally, trade routes across Europe allowed the rapid spread of the disease, as merchants and travelers carried infected fleas and rats into new areas (not on purpose).

Where was it most virulent?

It was the worst in Italy and the southern portion of France.

What were its effects on European society?

There was a huge social alongside physical (deaths), people started questioning the authority and power of the Church as they believed the Church was not able to cure the unknown disease.

How important do you think disease is in changing the course of history?

I think diseases have a huge role in changing the course of history, not only are significant amounts of people lost at times but political, social theatres are put under stress and diseases can also exposes flaws in society. Diseases can also cause some pretty significant ideological or social change.

Discuss the struggle between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip the Fair.

The struggle between Pope Boniface VIII and King Philip the Fair was over the disagreements between the taxation of the clergy and the authority of the state and church and the role of the church in the state. (separation of church and state)

Why was Boniface so impotent in the conflict?

Even though, Pope Boniface was the leader of the Church he was impotent because of the lack of support from the other monarchs of the time and the sheer power that King Philip had. Also at the time, the idea of papal authority was shifting and leaders of major countries started to really question the involvements of the Church.

How had 4 political conditions changed since the reign of Pope Innocent III in the late twelfth century?

1. Monarchs (such as King Philip the Fair) built much stronger central governments that utilized a stronger military, own courts and implemented bureaucracies that made the ruling state more powerful and independent than from the church.

2. Up until the 13th and 14th century, the Roman Catholic Church and its officials held significant power over monarchs (excommunication or interdicts). However, after Pope Boniface, many monarchs started to question and resist the actions of the Church which meant that Popes (and the Church) started to gradually lose their power.

3. More and more citizens started to become more loyal to the king and to the state more than the pope which meant that the Pope started to lose influence which further dwindled the strength of the Church.

4. The abuse of power by papal figures meant that people started to lose the little trust they had which further caused the decline of the authority and image of the Church.