History The Crusades Questions
The Crusades contributed to the decline of feudalism in several ways. Firstly, many nobles and knights who participated in the Crusades either died or lost their wealth, leading to a weakening of the feudal system. Additionally, the Crusades brought about increased trade and contact with the Islamic world, leading to the introduction of new ideas, technologies, and goods. This led to a shift in economic power away from the feudal lords and towards the emerging merchant class, further undermining feudalism. Lastly, the Crusades also led to the centralization of power in the hands of monarchs, as they needed to raise and command large armies for the expeditions. This centralization weakened the power of feudal lords and contributed to the decline of feudalism.