CHAPTER 3
Slavery to Feudalism in Western Europe
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Comprehend how slavery limited the economic institutions and technology of the Roman
Empire.
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER
I. Ruling the Roman Empire
KEY TERMS
C.E.
Common Era; since year 1 of our calendar
empire
of estates known as feudal manors
given his or her own small amount of land for subsistence farming
ANSWERS TO END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
Comprehend how slavery limited the economic institutions and technology of the Roman
Empire.
1. Who produced most of the goods and services for Rome?
Slaves produced all of the food, prepared the food, and made custom clothing. Slaves
2. How was production perceived by the slave owners and the ruling class? Why does this
attitude limit technological change and motivation for technological change?
Since slaves did the actual production, the entire area of economic production came to be
3. Why do slaves have little interest in changing technology?
4. Why might the slave owner not want to introduce new technology?
Explain the effects of slavery on the Roman army.
5. How did the composition of the Roman army change after the introduction of slavery?
The early Roman army was largely composed of free farmers. As the numbers of
6. Why is the changing composition of the Roman army a problem for the Roman Empire?
The increased used of mercenaries meant the army became more expensive to maintain.
Describe the motivations and the steps in the movement from slavery to serfdom.
7. Discuss the two main reasons for the change from slavery to serfdom.
First, serfs were motivated to work and provide goods and services to the lord in return