Final answer:
The feudal system's reliance on local independence stemmed from the lack of centralized government, constant threat of violence, and the necessity for lords to provide protection and manage lands autonomously. Personal loyalties and land-based power played a crucial role in this decentralized and hierarchically driven society, which later evolved with the onset of industrial society and capitalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The feudal system relied on a high degree of local independence because it was a societal structure that emerged out of necessity, primarily due to the lack of a centralized government and the frequent threat of violence from raiders. It represented a warlord system where hierarchy and land distribution were key factors. Lords would grant land, known as fiefs, to their vassals in exchange for military service and protection from external threats.
These vassals, in turn, could exert local power, and extract wealth from the land and the peasants working on it. Within this decentralized structure, each vassal had significant autonomy to manage their fiefdom and obligations were based more on personal loyalty and mutual benefit rather than on a formal legal system.
The Church, a massive landowner often exempt from taxes, also had significant influence as bishops often had lordship over their own lands. Over time, lords and vassal relationships became complex, with vassals sometimes having more power than the king himself, making it challenging for royal authority to prevail during the Middle Ages. The demand for local governance and security drove the development of this system, leading to a patchwork of local powers rather than a unified state.
As a result of the feudal system, there was a deep connection between land ownership, power, and military service, which shaped the societal structure of medieval Europe. This lead to the formation of a system where allegiance and loyalty were of utmost importance and hierarchy was strictly adhered to.
Feudalism would eventually be replaced as society shifted towards industrial society and capitalism due to technological advancements and changing economic practices.