CHAPTER 3
Slavery to Feudalism in Western Europe
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
25. The dominant economic sector in the Roman Empire was
a. the consumer goods sector
b. the agricultural sector
c. government
d. education
26. Why was the institution of slavery a barrier to technological change in the Roman Empire
a. There was no incentive for slave owners to introduce technological change to work
processes, since the slaves would reap all of the benefits from the reduced hours and
easier work.
b. There was no incentive for slaves to adopt technological change in work processes, since
the intensity of their work would not improve.
c. Roman Law prohibited the introduction of technological change into work processes.
d. Most technological change was too expensive for slave owners to purchase.
27. How did the composition of the Roman army change after the introduction of slavery?
a. The army was increasingly composed of slaves.
b. The army was composed of prisoners captured from various Germanic tribes.
c. The army was increasingly composed of paid mercenaries.
d. The army was increasingly composed of volunteers recruited from the growing class of
free farmers.
28. The composition of the Roman army eventually created problems for the Roman Empire
including
a. Soldiers who were prisoners tended to escape depleting the ranks of the army.
b. Soldiers who were slaves used their weapons on their owners.
c. The use of mercenaries meant the army became more expensive to maintain.
d. The difficulties of recruiting new soldiers meant the army became smaller and less
efficient.
29.
a. There is no difference. The terms are synonymous.
b.
c. A serf is bound to the land, but cannot be bought and sold as a slave.
d. Slaves were engaged only in agriculture. Serfs worked in other parts of the economy.
30. Why was slavery gradually replaced by serfdom in the third and fourth centuries.
a. The government of the Roman declared slavery illegal.
b. Having their own plot of land gave serfs an incentive to help defend the estate in case of
attack.
c. The market for slaves collapsed, and slave owners were unable to buy more slaves.
d. Serfs were willing to work for a minimum wage.
31. In Western Europe, the Roman Empire and its institution of slavery disappeared in
a. 10th century BCE
b. the 3rd century BCE
c. the 5th century CE
d. the 9th century CE
32.
a. an extensive area of land or countries under a single authority with no democracy.
b. a nation in which power is held by the people or their elected representatives.
c. a person who referees at baseball games.
d. a system in which political power is decentralized from kings to lords of estates.
33. At the peak period of ancient Rome, 90 to 95% of the people worked
a. in the army.
b. in agriculture.
c. as craftsmen.
d. in manufacturing.
34. A social and economic system based on serfdom, where political power is decentralized from
kings to lords of estates or manors is called
a. democracy.
b. feudalism,
c. capitalism.
d. mercantilism.
35. Technological change
a. is inevitable and occurs in all societies.
b. occurs only when the social and economic institutions and ideology enable it to occur.
c. was very rapid throughout the Middle Ages.
d. is generally facilitated by the institution of slavery.