• New warfare technology such as gunpowder and cannon that made castles increasingly obsolete
The renewal of economic and intellectual vigor and the tendency toward centralized regional
political authority marked the beginning of a new era on the European continent.
Rapid Review
The decline of Roman authority in Western Europe resulted in the rise of feudalism as a system of
protection. Feudalism in Western Europe bore some similarities to Japanese feudalism. Although
Western European feudalism created local governments, in some areas of Europe, such as France,
regional kingdoms arose. Characteristic of feudal Europe was a persistent conflict between popes and
kings concerning secular authority. Many European women continued in traditional roles. By the
eleventh century, Western Europe demonstrated signs of revival as universities were established, trade
increased, and some serfs began to leave the manor.
Review Questions
1 . In contrast to Japanese feudalism, Western European feudalism
(A) included women in the feudal relationship
(B) created a reciprocal relationship between lord and vassal
(C) was based on a noncontractual relationship
(D) did not lead to centralized regional governments
2 . Early medieval Europe’s strongest state was
(A) the Papal States
(B) England
(C) France
(D) the Holy Roman Empire
3 . The period of greatest population decline in Europe during the Middle Ages was
(A) from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries
(B) the fourteenth century
(C) the fifth and sixth centuries
(D) the fifteenth century
4 . During the Middle Ages, the concept of limited government was seen most clearly in
(A) France
(B) Germany
(C) England
(D) Italy
5 . Which statement describes Europe between the ninth to fifteenth centuries?
(A) The consolidation of Germanic kingdoms into a single Germanic state
(B) The end of pressure from migratory peoples