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The conversion of the Franks to Catholicism was a strategic alliance with the local ruling class, enabling them to become the predominant military power in Western Europe. This contrasts with the Visigoths and Ostrogoths, who opposed the local ruling class by adhering to Arianism.

Abelard, a Breton philosopher in the late 11th century, was already making rationalistic criticisms of Christianity during the First Crusade. This highlights how quickly Europeans began using new intellectual traditions, often challenging the Catholic Church itself.

During the early modern period, governments in Catholic Europe, such as Spain and France, collaborated with noblemen to suppress the merchant classes, leading to a decline in economic prosperity compared to Northwestern Europe.

The Catholic Church in medieval Europe allowed for a surprising amount of political discourse, providing structures for what could be agreed upon and what could not. This openness to disagreement is a notable aspect of the Church's influence at the time.

The Black Death disproportionately killed priests, leading to a loss of faith and a decline in the Catholic Church's moral standards, including monks marrying and the Church sponsoring brothels.

Napoleon, who rose to military dictator, made a deal with the Pope to bring Catholicism back because he thought religion was necessary to social functioning. This was after the French Revolution, which was atheist and persecuted Catholicism in France, the most populous Catholic nation in the world.

Atheism became dominant in 18th century France due to resentment towards the Catholic Church's rigidity and the lack of religious freedom. This secular tradition developed in response to a strong centralized government and the Church's resistance to change.

In France, the Catholic Church supported freedom and education, collaborating with scientists like Descartes. However, the government maintained a Catholic theocracy, which the Church didn't oppose until the French Revolution. This led to France becoming the most educated country, but also fostered a secular intellectual tradition due to restrictions on religious free thinking.

During the Dark Ages, the Catholic Church faced theological disputes, particularly with Arian Christians like the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. These groups believed Christ was a man connected to God, not divine. This theological stance led to political tensions and oppression of local Catholics by these Germanic elites.

The Babylonian Captivity saw the Catholic Church split into two papacies, one in Avignon and one in Rome, causing a loss of legitimacy and internal conflict throughout the 14th century.