Feudalism in Medieval Europe effected society. Positive or Negative you decide! Wrote for History Class.
This is just a brief essay thing discussing Feudalism. Not very good as an essay, but did get 100% as a grade for the class.
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Feudalism is a system of government based on ties of loyalty between lords and vassals. This system united them and improved society, but feudalism both helped and harmed the development of Western European society. I feel feudalism helped Europe more than it harmed it. Feudalism made Western Europe safer, increased trade, benefited all classes of society, and one person couldn't become too powerful in the society
Feudalism made Europe safer because it kept out invaders. Knights (noble warriors who fought on horseback and followed the code of chivalry), went off and fought to protect the feudal territories. When Rome fell powerful invaders were everywhere and with feudalism knights were able to go out and keep them out. Knights also enforced laws and arrested bandits which made roads safer to travel on which in turn increased trade.
Feudalism allowed more food and goods to be produced so trade between territories increased. The increase of trade made Europe wealthier. As Europe grew wealthier the demand for gold and silver coins increased and people began to use the money system once more.
Another great thing about feudalism is it didn't only benefit rich nobles, I benefited everyone. Under this system lords gained an army to protect there lands and fight for them, vassals gained lands or fiefs from lords and peasants were protected.
Feudalism was different from other systems because it didn't allow one person to become too powerful. This was important because everyone shared power. Feudalism was the first step to ideas about limited government power and ideas that everyone had rights. These ideas eventually led to important documents like the Magna Carta.
In conclusion feudalism is a political system based on bonds of loyalty that both harmed and helped European Society.
