128 i PERIOD 3 Develop Regional and Transregional Interactions (c. 600–c. 1450)
- The strengthening of nation-states. The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) increased
the power of both France and England and is also considered by many historians as the
end of Europe’s medieval period. - Increased Eurasian trade.
- The growth of banking.
- 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 confl ict 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
- 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
(E) endured for a longer period - Early medieval Europe’s strongest state was
(A) the Papal States
(B) England
(C) France
(D) the Holy Roman Empire
(E) Spain - 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
(E) the eighth century
4. During the Middle Ages, the concept of limited
government was seen most clearly in
(A) France
(B) Germany
(C) England
(D) Italy
(E) Spain
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
(C) Steady decline of educational opportunities
(D) European retreat from contact with neigh-
boring societies
(E) The expansion of the Eastern world into
Western Europe