1. Western Europe Central government
broke down and trade
was disrupted
Cities were
abandoned and
population centers
shifted to rural areas.
Christianity remained
a major unifying force
throughout most of
Western Europe.
Christianity spread to
the Germanic tribes.
2. Feudalism in Medieval Europe
Causes:
Invasions and attacks disrupted
agriculture and trade, as well as
manufacturing.
4. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Causes:
Without a central government, there
was no protection from invasion or
attack and trade was disrupted.
Those with land (wealth) built fortified
homes (castle) and hired their own
militia as people fled cities.
5. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Large landowners gave land to their
warriors as payment for loyalty and
service.
The person who received the land was
called a vassal and the piece of land
was called a fief or feud the person
giving the land was the lord.
6. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Over time, landowners and their
warriors (knights) became the
nobility –inherited position.
Nobleman=Warrior.
The RC Church’s position
strengthened and clergy became its
own class.
90% or more of the population were
urban or rural workers.
7. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Social Class System-
– Nobility (those who fought)
– Clergy (those who were supported by
the Church)
–Peasants (those who worked)
–Serfs, Merchants, Craftsmen
8. King
Nobles
Knights
Peasants
Grants land
to
Grants land
to
Grants land
to
Provide
money and
knights
Provide
protection and
military
service
Provide food
and services
9. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Results:
W. Europe was divided into local political
territories without a strong central
government and each territory was broken
into self-sufficient manors (or estates).
One’s social class was basically inherited.
10. FEUDALISM in Medieval Europe
Feudalism was the political system
and
Manorialism was the economic system
