Question 1

One factor that contributed to the growth of some urban centers such as Paris and London was:

Accepted Answer

Paris and London were able to draw on the wealth of the surrounding area, which allowed for their growth and development as urban centers. This led to the growth of trade, commerce, and industry and helped to establish their positions as major cities in Europe.

Question 2

Although moneylending was an important factor in the success of early Italian merchant activity:

Accepted Answer

The Western Christian church condemned the practice of moneylending as usurious, which means charging excessive interest rates. This discouraged moneylending among Italian merchants and also led to the exclusion of Jews from Christian society as they were often associated with moneylending. Despite this, Italian merchants still found ways to procure loans and engage in moneylending practices, which contributed to their success.

Question 3

One factor that contributed to the increase in agricultural output in the medieval period was:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

Europe's first parliamentary democracy developed in:

Accepted Answer

Iceland is known to have the oldest surviving parliament in the world, the Althing, which was established in 930 AD. The Althing is considered to be Europe's first parliamentary democracy.

Question 5

Monasteries and secular lords often supported the founding of towns in their territories because:

Accepted Answer

Monasteries and secular lords supported the founding of towns in their territories because they saw the economic advantages of having towns in their territory. Towns provided a market for agricultural goods and crafts and also generated revenue through taxes and tolls.

Question 6

Aside from raising food yields from 50 to 67 percent,the movement from a two-field system to a three-field system resulted in:

Accepted Answer

The three-field system allowed for one field to lie fallow each year, allowing the soil to regenerate and resulting in higher yields per acre. It also allowed for a more even distribution of labor throughout the year, as different fields could be tended to during different seasons. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 7

In the period 950-1100,the West's center of gravity shifted from:

Accepted Answer

During the period 950-1100, the West's center of gravity shifted from the Mediterranean to western Europe due to the rise of feudal kingdoms, increased agricultural productivity, and the growth of trade and towns in regions like France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 8

In northern Europe,increasing use of the heavy-wheeled plow between 800 and 1050 coincided with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In northern Europe,increasing use of the heavy-wheeled...

Question 9

It was more difficult for serfs to improve their economic and social status because:

Accepted Answer

Serfs were tied to their lord's manorial lands and could not move. This meant they were unable to seek out better opportunities or start anew in a different location. Their economic and social status was therefore largely determined by their birth and the land they were bound to.

Question 10

The Viking kingdoms of Scandinavia were so successful because:

Accepted Answer

The Viking kingdoms were successful because they combined traditional Viking networks of trade and kinship with newer models of governance, such as incorporating elements of Christianity and feudalism, which allowed for greater centralization of power and control over territories. This adaptation enabled them to expand their territories and maintain stability within their kingdoms.

Question 11

During the eleventh century,the most spectacular developments in long-distance trade took place in:

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the eleventh century,the most spectacular developments...

Question 12

The medieval economy was based primarily on:

Accepted Answer

Agriculture was the primary economic activity during the medieval period, with most people relying on farming for their livelihood.

Question 13

Although Viking raids often devastated towns,the Vikings also revitalized cities by:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although Viking raids often devastated towns,the Vikings...

Question 14

Many towns and cities in the High Middle Ages:

Accepted Answer

Towns and cities in the High Middle Ages grew through continuous immigration from the countryside, as people sought better economic opportunities and protection within the walls of the town. While some cities were built of stone, many were wooden and therefore vulnerable to fire. Crowd diseases were a real concern, but sanitation was not always prioritized due to a lack of knowledge about germs and their transmission. While some towns may have been controlled by a local noble or monastery, many had independent governments and were able to establish their own laws and regulations.

Question 15

A major source of mechanical power in medieval Europe after 1050 was the:

Accepted Answer

The water mill was a major source of mechanical power in medieval Europe after 1050. It was used for a variety of purposes, including grinding grain, crushing paper pulp, and pressing oil. While the other options listed (four-wheeled cart, windmill, steam engine, and open-hearth furnace) were all important technologies during the medieval period, none of them were as significant a source of mechanical power as the water mill.

Question 16

Local lords most frequently developed power bases in areas of western Europe where:

Accepted Answer

Local lords developed power bases in areas where royal authority was weak or nonexistent. In these areas, they were able to establish their own authority and build up their own territories without opposition from a strong central authority. This was particularly true in medieval Europe, where the power of the king was often limited by the strength of local lords and nobles.

Question 17

The Song of Roland is useful for historians because it:

Accepted Answer

The Song of Roland is a medieval epic poem that reflects the culture and ideals of the time in which it was written (around the 11th century). It provides insight into the values, beliefs, and heroic ideals of medieval Europe. Although it is based on historical events and figures, it is not a reliable source for factual information about Charlemagne's reign or battles.

Question 18

Otto I's victory over the Magyars:

Accepted Answer

Otto I's victory over the Magyars in 955 AD confirmed the position of the Saxon kings as heirs to Charlemagne's Holy Roman Empire, a title that Otto was later crowned with in 962 AD.

Question 19

Castles often formed the nucleus of new towns because:

Accepted Answer

Castles were often built for defensive purposes and provided protection for the people living within its walls, including merchants. As a result, it was common for new towns to develop around castles, as people sought the safety and security provided by the castle's walls.

Question 20

Historians generally do not use the term feudalism today because it:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Historians generally do not use the term...

Quiz 8: The Expansion of Europe,950–1100