Imagine Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire: constant invasions, crumbling infrastructure, and a complete lack of centralized authority. Sound like a recipe for disaster? It was! This instability is the key to understanding why feudalism developed.
With no strong central government to provide protection, people turned to local lords for security. These lords, who often controlled land and resources, offered protection in exchange for loyalty and service. This basic exchange—land for labor and military service—became the foundation of feudalism.
The system wasn't planned; it evolved organically out of necessity. Think of it as a survival strategy. Powerful individuals needed soldiers to defend their lands, and ordinary people needed protection from raiders and bandits. The feudal system provided a framework for this mutual dependence, creating a hierarchical society with kings at the top and peasants at the bottom. So, the next time you see a majestic castle, remember it's a symbol of a time when chaos reigned and feudalism offered a fragile but necessary order.
