Final answer:
Both Muslims and Catholics in the later Middle Ages faced decline due to internal fragmentation, infighting, and military setbacks, such as the rise of the Mongol Empire, which disrupted their regions and weakened their power structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decline of Muslim and Catholic Powers
The decline of the Muslim and Catholic powers during the later Middle Ages can be attributed to a variety of factors. Shared aspects between the Muslims and Catholics that contributed to their decline include political fragmentation, infighting, and military setbacks. For the Muslims, the fragmentation of Islamic states due to internal disputes and the challenge of succession led to weakened governance and loss of control in some regions. For Catholics, the decline of papal power and influence, as well as divisive crusading efforts, notably against the Eastern Orthodox Byzantium during the Fourth Crusade, weakened their position. Additionally, the rise of centralized monarchical states began to erode the feudal system that had supported the power structures of both religious communities.
Another common element was the rise of the Mongol Empire, which disrupted both Muslim and Catholic regions, further contributing to their decline in power. The socio-political landscape was changing, and while both religions faced these challenges in different areas, the factors contributing to their waning influence shared certain characteristics, including internal political strife and external military pressures.