why was it so influential?

• what were the clergy mostly?


  the most educated members of the community, and are most likely literate.
• how did having educated members of the community make the church powerful?

  they would most likely know how to rule and be in charge, and the members will be smart enough to find a way around these peoples minds to get them to do things they want.
• what did the medieval church teach?


  that souls could only get salvation by following the church teachings
• how did teaching that should could only get salvation through the church's teachings make the church more powerful?

  most people want to go to heaven, so everyone would listen to their teachings no matter what.
• what did the church own?

  one fifth of the country's wealth and connected one tenth of all earnings in church taxes. this made churches and cathedrals the largest and most impressive buildings in most communities.
• how did the church having access to a lot of money make the church powerful?

  with their wealth, they could buy themselves into higher and higher roles and also use that money to overthrow current leaders etc. large buildings can be used to meet with people and discuss ideas and beliefs more efficiently