Feudalism Exam

...collapse of a strong central government. Explanation: The collapse of the Roman Empire was finalized in 476 CE, when the city of Rome was sacked. For nearly 1,000 years afterward no single centralized government was able to maintain control of Europe. As a result, the region became dominated by feudalism in order to meet the basic need for protection which was necessary for survival.

the manor system and the importance of land ownership. Explanation: Manorialism was the cornerstone of European society in the Middle Ages. Nobility who held land, the only thing of value during the period, ruled these manors.

...an emphasis on social order. Explanation: Feudal societies such as those found in Europe during the Middle Ages and in Japan prior to the Meiji Resoration, are dominated by rigid class systems in which the landed nobility controlled the daily lives of those living on their property in exchange for providing protection for them.

rigid class structure Explanation: Feudalism in Europe and Japan depended on a very rigid class structure in which the peasant labored for the upper class who provided them with land to live on and protection in times of warfare.

...birth. Explanation: Feudal Europe had a rigid class structure in which one's status as a peasant or member of royalty was determined by birthright.

manorialism Explanation: The Manor System organized labor during the Middle Ages in Europe and provided those who lived on the manor with their basic economic needs.

...development of towns and cities. Explanation: Medieval cities were supported by trade, exchange, production, consumption, and moneymaking. Many of the businesses that exist today, such as banks and corporations, can trace their ancestry to the Middle Ages.

...religious themes. Explanation: Religious themes dominated the art of Europe during the Middle Ages because the Catholic Church was dominant in the lives of everyone during this era.

...Roman Catholic Church. Explanation: The Catholic Church was at the center of life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

...was a stabilizing influence during a period of weak central governments Explanation: The Catholic Church was at the center of life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

the Church Explanation: The Catholic Church was at the center of life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

had not yet been introduced to Europe from the New World. Explanation: Corn and potatoes were introduced to Europe after explorers returned with them from their voyages to the Americas.

...capture the Holy Land from Islamic rulers.

...an increased demand for goods from the East. Explanation: As Crusaders brought back spices and other goods from the encounter in the Middle East, demand for these products in Europe increased.

trade between Europe and the Middle East was expanded Explanation: While Europeans were unable to maintain control of the Holy Land in the Middle East, trade between the two areas increased as demand grew for the spices and other items brought back to Europe by the Crusaders.

Trade and commerce increased and the feudal system was weakened. Explanation: The Crusades provided new opportunities for the serfs living on medieval manors in Europe to travel to the Middle East to fight the Muslims. As the Crusades ended, Europeans brought back spices and other items which caused trade between the two areas to increase.

...an increased demand for goods from the Middle East and Asia. Explanation: As the crusaders returned from the Middle East to Europe, they brought with them a sample of the exotic spices and goods available from that part of the world. This resulted in an increased demand for these luxury goods and fueled trade between Europe and the rest of the world.

...furthered cultural diffusion throughout Western Europe. Explanation: As the crusaders returned from the Middle East to Europe, they brought with them a sample of the exotic spices and goods available from that part of the world. This resulted in an increased demand for these luxury goods and fueled trade between Europe and the rest of the world. A direct result of this trade was cultural diffusion as contact between these areas became more frequent.

...power based on class relationships. Explanation: Feudalism in Europe and Japan depended on a very rigid class structure in which the peasant labored for the upper class who provided them with land to live on and protection in times of warfare.

...spread of Middle Eastern culture and technology to Europe. Explanation: As European Crusaders returned to Europe from the Middle East, they brought with them ideas and technologies. These included the Hindu-Arabic numbering system, the concept of zero, and sailing technologies such as the astrolabe and compass.

The Crusades did not achieve their original goals, but they brought about many desirable changes in Europe. Explanation: The Crusades provided new opportunities for the serfs living on medieval manors in Europe to travel to the Middle East to fight the Muslims. As the Crusades ended, Europeans brought back spices and other items which caused trade between the two areas to increase.