In my opinion The March of Equality was written by Alexis de Tocqueville in order to shed light on France's political, financial and spiritual affairs. Tocqueville pinpointed the means by which America had become not only independent but extremely stable and successful by the 1830's. Tocqueville observed how most Americans found a common ground in the word of God, and was willing to not only obtain but maintain a thriving coexistence and maturing political culture with the primary principle being equality.
The building of the abbeys and the accumulation of wealth were indicators of democracy do to the masses being accepted, acquiring power within the church. The clergy opening itself up to all people, poor and rich, and insinuating itself into government, enabling people of humble origins to reach the top ranks of power.(p4) Despite the original intention of the Order to be disengaged from secular and public affairs, Bernard of Clairvaux preached the Second Crusade in France and Germany; one of his novices was elected Pope Eugenius III and other Cistercian abbots were consecrated bishops; some Austrian Abbesses became Electors of the Holy Roman Emperor. But there were greater changes in European society beyond the control of the Order that would ultimately mandate change. The rise of national monarchies dependent on urban mercantile centers and baking houses for support; the dependence on mercenaries in waging territorial warfare; the development of civil law practiced by non-clerical lawyers; the rise of a middle class needing a different piety and religious expression; the increase of literacy and a development of working ( professional) class would all change the culture that had supported the Cistercian Reform.
Tocqueville justifies his statement by acknowledging a period of great prosperity in the middle years of the 12th century when which the Cistercians (a monastic order that was founded in Burgundy in 1098) merged with St. Bernard of Clairvaux and his followers (p4) The term Cistercian (French Cistercien), derives from Cistercium,the Latin name for the village of Cîteaux, near Dijon in eastern France.(Encyclopedia) It was in this village that a group of Benedictine monks from the monastery of Molesme founded Cîteaux Abbey in 1098, with the goal of following more closely the Rule of Saint Benedict. Bernard of Clairvaux officially entered the monastery in the early 1110's with 30 companions and helped the rapid acceleration of the order.The key to Cistercian life was a return to literal observance of the Rule of St Benedict.(Encyclopedia) Rejecting the developments the Benedictines had undergone, the monks tried to replicate monastic life exactly as it had been in Saint Benedict's time.(Encyclopedia) The reform was the return to manual labor, especially field-work, a special characteristic of Cistercian life.This utilization of natural resources financed the abbeys and built churches while acquiring power thru the blessing of God (fertile mud). Also,Cistercian architecture is considered one of the most beautiful styles of medieval architecture. Additionally, in relation to fields such as agriculture, hydraulic engineering and metallurgy, the Cistercians became the main force of technological diffusion in medieval Europe by the end of the 12th century, the order had spread throughout France and into England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Eastern Europe.
