7.2

Feudalism

Political system, land to military service.

Lord gave land to Vassal

Vassal served loyalty + military service to Lord

Hierarchy based on land:

• Monarch

• Lords

• Knights

• Serfs

(rigid social structure- birth titles were rarely changed

Feudalism developed as a result of the loss of the centralized government in Rome and the need to combat the invasion and war.

Manorialism

Economic system, lord and serf manor relationship.

Serf gave Lord manual labor + taxes

Lord gave Serf protection + piece of land for personal gain

Manorialism developed as a result of the loss of international trade and the need for self-sufficient manor.

7.4

Causes

1. Religion (piety)

2. Christians take back the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from the Muslims

3. Pope Urban II promised crusaders forgiveness of sin and entry into heaven (God allows it)

4. Riches and serf freedom

Effects

Economic

• Wealth and luxury goods (spices, gems, silks) brought back international trade with East

• Rise in agriculture

• Rise in trade/commerce

Social

• Rise of cities due to trade

• Population growth

• Weakening of feudalism

  • lords and serfs died on Crusades

  • trade, towns and cities reduced the lord’s power

• Revival of education due to manuscripts

Agricultural Growth

Horses and iron plows improved agriculture subsistence farming (farming for personal use) to commercial farming (farming for profit)

Economic Growth

Commercial Revolution was the rise of investing money and trade.

• loans with interest, bills of exchange, letters of credit

• partnerships (companies owned by stock investors)

• Insurance industry- managed the risks

• Currency Exchange

Guild System

A guild is a union of artisans/merchants in a common profession who came together to guarantee income to members.

Roles

Apprentice learned from the Journeyman who learned from the Guild Master