Feudalism

Definition

Feudalism is a social and economic system that dominated medieval Europe, characterized by the exchange of land for military service and loyalty between lords and vassals. This hierarchical structure created a system of obligations and protections, where the nobility owned large estates, while serfs and peasants worked the land in exchange for protection and sustenance. Feudalism laid the groundwork for later economic developments, influencing the emergence of capitalism and market economies as power began to shift from feudal lords to a more commercialized society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feudalism was prevalent in Europe from the 9th to the 15th centuries, establishing a rigid social hierarchy with kings at the top, followed by nobles, knights, and peasants.
2. Land was the primary source of wealth and power in feudal society, with lords granting parcels of land to vassals in exchange for military support.
3. The decline of feudalism began in the late Middle Ages due to factors such as the growth of trade, urbanization, and the rise of a merchant class.
4. Feudal obligations included military service from vassals, while lords provided protection and governance over their lands.
5. The shift away from feudalism towards capitalism involved the rise of market economies, where trade and monetary transactions became more important than land ownership.

Review Questions

• How did feudalism create a social hierarchy and affect relationships among different classes in medieval society?
  • Feudalism established a clear social hierarchy where kings held ultimate authority, followed by powerful lords who owned large estates. Vassals pledged loyalty to these lords in exchange for land, while peasants and serfs worked the land for protection. This system fostered interdependencies among classes: lords relied on vassals for military support, and vassals relied on lords for land and safety. As such, it shaped social dynamics and community relationships during medieval times.
• Discuss how feudalism influenced economic activities in medieval Europe and its relationship with later capitalist developments.
  • Feudalism dictated economic activities through manorialism, where local lords controlled agricultural production and resources. Peasants were tied to their lords' lands, limiting trade and economic mobility. However, as trade routes expanded and towns grew during the late Middle Ages, reliance on local agrarian economies diminished. This transition marked a shift toward market economies, which laid the groundwork for capitalism by emphasizing trade, money exchange, and individual enterprise over land-based wealth.
• Evaluate the factors that contributed to the decline of feudalism and how this transition impacted societal structures in Europe.
  • The decline of feudalism was driven by several factors: increased trade, urbanization, demographic changes following the Black Death, and the emergence of a merchant class seeking more economic freedom. As towns developed into centers of commerce, serfs began to seek opportunities outside of manorial lands. This shift not only undermined traditional feudal obligations but also led to new social structures where merchants gained prominence over nobles. Ultimately, this transition reshaped European society by fostering individualism and setting the stage for modern economic systems.

Related terms

Manorialism: An economic system associated with feudalism that focused on the lord's manor as the central unit of production, where peasants worked the land and provided goods.

Vassal: A person in feudal society who received land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and service, often providing military aid.

Serfdom: The condition in which peasants were bound to the land they worked on, unable to leave without the lord's permission, often providing labor in exchange for protection.