Determine whether each item describes a cause of feudalism or a characteristic of the system of feudalism. the king gave land grants to nobles for providing knights for wars. the roman empire fell when the last emperor stepped down. people needed safety and protection. people were born into a social class. there wasn't a strong central government. people turned to the catholic church for spiritual direction.

A cause of feudalism or a characteristic of the system of feudalism

Roman kings huge land grants to the nobles which provided knights and soldiers which is the characteristic feature of feudalism. Due to the existence of feudalism, the last roman king was dethroned as the poor began to protest due to the oppression of the rich and hence it is the cause of feudalism. When feudalism exists, people ‘security is challenged and hence it is the characteristic feature of feudalism.  

Social stratification into different class based on the financial prosperity was the cause of feudalism. When feudalism exists there will not be the strong central government. During the period of feudalism, people turned to the Christian church and feudal lords gifted lands to the development of church so it is the characteristic feature of feudalism.