A long-term impact of feudalism on Europe was that it discouraged unified governments as well as trade.

• A. Strengthened centralized monarchy
• B. Promoted interregional trade networks
• C. Discouraged unified governments and trade
• D. Led to increased literacy

Answer: (C)

Feudalism built a decentralized political order in medieval Europe, with power spread among many local lords and their vassals rather than a single, strong central government. Because authority was fragmented, unifying the realm politically across regions was difficult, and centralized planning or policy across the whole kingdom rarely took hold. Economically, the system emphasized local control and the manor economy, while long-distance travel and security were uncertain. These conditions made broad interregional trade less reliable and hindered the development of a unified market across the realm. Over time, some monarchies did push toward centralization, but the lasting pattern of feudal Europe was to maintain regional power and limit large-scale political unity and commerce. Literacy, while growing later in monasteries and cities, was not a direct, defining outcome of feudalism itself.