After the fall of the Roman Empire Europe became a collection of small villages trying to survive independent of each other. Without an organized government and military to protect the people living in these communities, the villagers turned to local strongmen to provide security. Overtime this led to a system that historians call feudalism.
You should understand that feudalism is a term used today to describe the form a government that existed in the Middle Ages. The people of that time did not use the term. To them they were simply surviving. In order to survive the peasants needed to grow enough food to get through the winter. They worked hard long hours for three seasons a year. Then during winter they huddled in their tiny homes until spring. The last thing they needed was to be raided after harvest and left to starve through winter. Therefore, they grudgingly gave food and worked on the land of their lord (a person that promised to protect them) in return for security. |
This image shows the hierarchy that existed in medieval Europe
Links:
Medieval Europe: This site has information regarding life in Europe during the Feudal period.
Facts about Japan: This site has information regarding life in Japan during the Feudal period.
Extra Credit:
Create a chart or organizer to collect import facts comparing these two feudal systems.
Medieval Europe: This site has information regarding life in Europe during the Feudal period.
Facts about Japan: This site has information regarding life in Japan during the Feudal period.
Extra Credit:
Create a chart or organizer to collect import facts comparing these two feudal systems.
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Vocabulary
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