How did the Feudal System influence the development of capitalism?

History The Feudal System Questions



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How did the Feudal System influence the development of capitalism?

The Feudal System influenced the development of capitalism by creating the conditions for the rise of a merchant class and the accumulation of wealth. Under feudalism, land was the primary source of wealth and power, with the nobility owning and controlling vast amounts of land. However, as trade and commerce expanded, a new class of merchants emerged who accumulated wealth through commercial activities. This led to a shift in economic power away from the nobility and towards the emerging capitalist class. Additionally, the Feudal System's hierarchical structure and rigid social classes provided the foundation for the capitalist system's emphasis on individual ownership, private property, and economic competition.