What were the positive and negative effects of rule by feudal lords?
Answer (3)
Positive effect: Benefited the people at the top. A flexible system making power and decision. Allowed stability and security. The lord had a unique relationship with his vassals. Created an obligation for the powerful to help and protect the weak.
Negative effect: 90% of population were were commoners or peasants. Serfs has no say in that time. The kings were not in direct control of all their subjects. Relied on gaining status through work and power.
The rule by feudal lords was a cornerstone of medieval society and had both beneficial and detrimental impacts. Despite the oppressive nature of this system, one positive effect was the creation of order out of chaos. Feudalism offered a structure in which lords provided protection to their vassals and serfs in exchange for military service and labor, respectively. This allowed for the gradual resumption of travel and trade, which accumulated wealth and helped societies to flourish.
Negative effects of feudalism included a rigid class structure and the exploitation of peasants, who were often bound to the land with few rights or freedoms. The concentration of power among feudal lords also led to frequent conflicts and power struggles, undermining the stability they were meant to protect. Additionally, the feudal system was not economically efficient and stifled the development of greater economic productivity and diversified trades.
With the passage of time, changes such as the Black Plague and shifts in economic power led to the weakening of feudal authority and the rise of national governments. These shifts paved the way for the growth of towns and urban centers, lessening the control of feudal lords and altering the sociopolitical landscape of Europe.
The feudal system created stability and security in medieval Europe but also led to significant inequalities and limited the rights of commoners. Lords provided protection in exchange for loyalty, yet power struggles often weakened royal authority. Overall, feudalism was a mixed system of governance that helped some while oppressing many.
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