Question

Following the Black Death, the decline of feudalism in western Europe was hastened by what factor?

a) Decreased agricultural production
b) Increased political stability
c) Population growth
d) Labor shortages

Answer 1

The decline of feudalism post-Black Death was mainly due to labor shortages prompted by the decimated population seeking better opportunities in towns and cities, leading to significant social and structural changes in Europe.

Step-by-step explanation:

The decline of feudalism in Western Europe after the Black Death was accelerated by labor shortages. Following the massive depopulation caused by the plague, the demands for labor increased as there were fewer peasants to work the lands. This resulted in many peasants leaving rural areas to find better opportunities in towns and cities where their labor was in higher demand. Such migration was driven by personal agency and the search for improved working and living conditions, leading to a shift in social dynamics and the erosion of the traditional feudal system.As towns experienced labor shortages, there were further effects on the European social structure. Artisans and business owners found it easier to establish themselves, leading to changes in the guild system and a rise in female artisans and business owners. Furthermore, countries like England reacted by passing laws to regulate workers, which changed the medieval employment landscape significantly.The confluence of demographic changes, economic challenges, and shifts in the dynamics of power led to the eventual dissolution of feudal societal structures, paving the way for the emergence of stronger centralized states and social mobility opportunities for the common people.

Answer 2

The decline of feudalism in western Europe post-Black Death was primarily hastened by labor shortages. This change allowed surviving peasants to negotiate for better working conditions, leading to social mobility and the rise of central monarchical powers, which replaced feudal lordships. So, the correct option is d) Labor shortages

Step-by-step explanation:

Following the Black Death, the decline of feudalism in western Europe was hastened by labor shortages. This situation arose as a direct consequence of the sheer number of deaths due to the plague.

Surviving peasants became less tolerant of the demands of their feudal lords. The scarcity of workers meant that those who were left could demand higher wages and better conditions, since landlords were desperate to keep their estates productive.

Many peasants left rural areas, attracted by more generous terms of labor or seeking employment in towns and cities.

These shifts in labor dynamics played a critical role in eroding the rigid social hierarchies typical of the feudal system. The increased demand for labor led to heightened opportunities for social mobility among peasants and played a part in the emergence of central monarchical bureaucracies, which began to replace the power of local nobles.

The legacy of the Black Death, therefore, included profound transformations in Europe's economic, social, and political structures, ultimately contributing to the end of the feudal era.

So, the correct option is d) Labor shortages