In European history, what was one major reason that the medieval feudal system gradually declined and came to an end?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the transformation of European society from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Feudalism was a system based on landholding, mutual obligations and personal loyalty between lords and vassals. Over time, this system weakened and finally gave way to more modern economic and political structures. The question asks about one major cause of this decline.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• Feudalism refers to the medieval system of lords, vassals and serfs tied to the land. • We are looking for a key factor that contributed significantly to its decline. • Several options present different explanations, some clearly unrealistic. • The correct answer should reflect widely accepted historical analysis.

Concept / Approach:
Historians generally point to the growth of towns, long distance trade and a money based economy as central reasons for the decline of feudalism. As commerce expanded, many peasants and serfs left the estates and moved to towns in search of work and better conditions. Lords began to accept money payments instead of traditional services, and centralised monarchies grew stronger. These changes weakened the direct economic and military ties that had sustained the feudal order, leading to its gradual end.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that feudalism depended on agricultural land, local self sufficiency and fixed obligations of service or labour. Step 2: Think about how the rise of towns and trade shifted economic power away from manors and towards urban centres. Step 3: Recognise that monetisation of rents and wages created new relationships that did not fit the old feudal pattern. Step 4: Examine the answer choices and find the one that describes this transition. Step 5: Select the option about growth of towns, trade and a money based economy weakening feudal lords and serf obligations.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history textbooks list multiple factors in the decline of feudalism, including the growth of trade, the rise of a merchant class, the impact of the Black Death and the emergence of strong national monarchies. Among these, the broad economic shift from land based obligations to a cash economy is always highlighted. It reduced the dependence of peasants on local lords and increased the power of towns and kings, confirming that this explanation is well supported.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Church completely banned all forms of land ownership: The Church remained a major landowner and did not abolish landholding in this way. Kings ordered all knights to emigrate to the New World: Exploration of the New World came later and no such order took place. The Black Death killed only kings and spared peasants: The plague killed people of all classes, not just rulers, so this statement is inaccurate. Gunpowder made all castles totally invincible and strengthened feudalism for centuries: Gunpowder artillery actually reduced the military importance of castles rather than making them unbeatable.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners treat feudalism as if it ended suddenly because of one dramatic event, but in fact it declined gradually due to many factors. A good way to remember the main cause is the shift from local, land based economies to wider trade and a cash system. If an option highlights towns, trade and money replacing feudal obligations, it is usually a strong candidate for the correct answer.

Final Answer:
One major reason for the end of feudalism was that the growth of towns, trade and a money based economy weakened feudal lords and traditional serf obligations.