System Of 13~17 Century The Kingdom Of Germany

In the 8th century, tribal duchies emerged in Germany. Tribal hosts possessed great autonomous authority. Later through the emperors' efforts of the Saxon Dynasty and the Salic-Frankish Dynasty, royal power was strengthened. Old tribe dukedoms gradually disintegrated. In the 12th century, the emperor was involved in the struggle with the Pope for power, and consequently new secular and ecclesiastical nobles took advantage of the opportunity and rose. This established the foundation of territorial states. In the 13th century the change of the social structure directly resulted in the formation of territorial states.Territorial states had existed over 600 years in Germany and the formation of it was inevitable. Territorial states were different from tribe dukedoms, the former structure was more advanced. In every state, there were parliaments, administrative and legislature departments. So it could strode over two periods-the middle ages and modern times. On the other hand, the feudality of territorial states determined it was doomed to be replaced by constitutional monarchy. Long-term existence of territorial states influenced German politics, economy and culture. It impeded further development of the capitalism in Germany, and hindered the formation of the unified nation and directly influenced the cultural progress. Through the research of territorial states we could draw a conclusion that modern and contemporary history of Germany has close connection with territorial states, territorial states is a key to understand German history. The thesis tries to discuss the development of territorial states in Germany from 13th to 17th century from the perspective of inevitability of its formation.The thesis includes three parts: preface, main body and conclusion. Part one introduces the purpose and the research circumstances about the topic. Part two consists of five chapters: Chapter one discusses the social background of the formation of territorial states; Chapter two explains thestructure of territorial states; Chapter three explores territorial states and the development of German economy; Chapter four expounds territorial states and the nation which is difficult to unify; Chapter five elaborates territorial states and the multifarious culture. The conclusion summarizes the main idea of this thesis. The formation of territorial states said the tendency of the German history; its modern form prompted the development of the economy for some time. Thus, It could not be neglected. While the history went forward, the limitation of the institution was more obvious and it gradually became a strong obstruction. At last, through Bismarck's efforts, Prussia unified Germany and put territorial states to the end.