Final answer:
The stage between feudalism and takeoff is known as the 'Preconditions for take-off,' which signifies a period of transition and fundamental changes in the economy and society, leading to the decline of feudal structures and paving the way for future growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage between feudalism and the takeoff in Walt Rostow's model of economic development is known as the Preconditions for take-off. This stage is characterized by an economy in transition, as it sets the stage for future economic growth and development. During this period, the structures of feudal societies began to erode, which involved strict hierarchical systems based on land ownership and protection. The break down of such systems often happened as a consequence of changing economic conditions, like the emergence of a more powerful merchant class, societal shifts due to major events like the Great Famine, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War, and centralization of power in increasingly bureaucratic monarchical states.
These changes led to a gradual decline in feudalism, marked by a loss of power by traditional landowners and increasing freedom and mobility for serfs and commoners. Other transformations, such as religious reformations and a shift towards a more centralized state, also played a significant role in society's progress towards the 'Take-off' stage, where the conditions are ripe for industrialization and rapid economic growth. This stage is a turning point in history where an economy historically dictated by rigid feudal hierarchies begins to embrace economic practices that allow for greater flexibility, innovation, and social mobility.