Question

What was the basic Germanic social unit?

a. The state

b. The family

c. The individual

d. The tribe

Answer 1

The basic Germanic social unit was the tribe, which revolved around clans composed of multiple families with deep legal and social connections, eventually influencing the development of feudal law.

Step-by-step explanation:

The basic Germanic social unit was d. The tribe. Germanic tribes were the foundational political units in early Western Christendom, having a significant impact on the development of feudalism in Europe. Within these tribes, clan membership was crucial, with each person tied to their clan, which was the center of their legal and social identity. These clans were composed of several families that lived, hunted, and fought together, leading to a social structure where personal ties and reciprocal obligations were deeply embedded in the fabric of their society. Feudal law and traditions eventually evolved from these tribal and clan-based systems, solidifying the hierarchical structure that characterized medieval Europe.

Answer 2

The correct answer is b. the family

The family was of extreme importance especially since the family name usually had a reputation that would pass on to children. If a family was not respected because someone did something bad, the grand-grand-grand children would still feel repercussions because of that.