Final answer:
The political development of France and England in the late Middle Ages was shaped by different historical events. England moved towards a parliamentary system after the Magna Carta and Hundred Years' War, while France established a strong monarchy. These differences set the stage for their later roles in colonial expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The political development of France and England in the late Middle Ages highlighted their unique historical pathways. In the wake of the barbarian invasions, both nations sought to assert stronger control over their territories, laying the groundwork for future statehood. The Magna Carta in 1215 posed a significant development in England by establishing the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law, influencing future perceptions of justice and liberty.
During the High Middle Ages, societal organization took the form of manorialism and feudalism, and the population grew due to agricultural advancements. This period also saw the onset of the Crusades, significant religious conflicts, and the foundation of scholastic philosophy and universities. England and France's paths diverged significantly during the Hundred Years' War, which strengthened parliamentary power in England and solidified the strong monarchical system in France. These political developments influenced both nations' approaches to governance and their delayed engagement in New World exploration and colonization.
In summary, while both England and France were moving towards centralized nation-states, their political evolutions were distinct, with England moving towards a parliamentary democracy and France building a strong, centralized monarchy, despite common challenges like the plague and the Hundred Years' War.