Demographic growth, observed in Europe from the 10th century onwards, changed the self-sufficient model of the fiefs. Between the 11th and 13th centuries the European population more than doubled. The increase in populations boosted the growth of crops and the dynamization of commercial activities. However, these transformations were not enough to meet the food demand at that time. During this period, several forest areas were used to increase arable regions.
The discrepancy between productive capacity and consumption demand has retracted commercial activities and the population's diet has been greatly impoverished. In such adverse conditions, the risk of epidemics has become a serious risk factor. In the 14th century, the Black Death spread among populations causing a great wave of deaths that claimed approximately a third of Europe. In the fifteenth century, the European population contingent reached 35 million inhabitants.
The lack of available labor reinforced the rigidity previously observed in the relations between masters and servants. Feudal lords, fearful of losing their serfs, created new obligations that reinforced the peasants' bond with the land. Furthermore, the payment of obligations underwent a notable change with the reintroduction of coins in the economy of the time. The feudal lords preferred to receive part of the obligations with coins that, later, would be used in the acquisition of goods and other agricultural products traded in fairs.
Peasants at this time responded to their increased obligations with a wave of violent protests that took place throughout the fourteenth century. The so-called jacqueries were a series of peasant revolts that developed in different parts of Europe. Between 1323 and 1328, the peasants of the Flanders region organized a great revolt; in the year 1358 a new revolt broke out in France; and, in 1381, in England.
After the instabilities of the 14th century, the population contingent grew along with agricultural production and commercial activities. On the other hand, the improvement in social and economic indices was followed by new problems to be overcome by European societies. The agricultural production of the fiefs could not supply the urban centers and the commercial centers could not sell the manufactured goods.
At the same time, trade was experiencing major obstacles with the monopoly exercised by the Arabs and Italian cities. The trade routes and fairs controlled by them included a large number of intermediaries, increasing the value of goods coming from the Orient. As if the high prices weren't enough, the lack of coins impeded the dynamism of the commercial activities of the period. In this context, only the search for new production and consumption markets could alleviate such difficulties. That is how, in the 15th and 16th centuries, maritime-commercial expansion developed.
See more:
medieval religiosity
Hundred Years War
Black Plague
By Rainer Sousa
Master in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/crise-feudalismo.htm
