During the time before the crusades Western Europe was at an economical and military standstill. The crusades, which were holy wars over the city of Jerusalem, between Western Europe and the Easter Muslims, helped bring them into a more modern age. Feudalism, which was the form of government at that time, began to decrease and a more central government was formed. Western Europe also became interested in the luxury goods of the east, which started a trade system. Not only did they discover trading goods in the east, but also they learned many modern technologies and skills that improved the lives of the Western Europeans.
Feudalism, the system of government that had been most prominent in Western Europe, began to decline after the crusades ended. This was a highly decentralized form of government that stressed alliances of mutual protection between monarchs and nobles of varying degrees of power. A more centralized government began when Kings created armies of their own, which increased national taxes and decreased feudal taxes. The Kings fighting forces protected the whole nation, instead of individual armies for separate manors. Many nobles died during the crusades, without leaving heirs for the land. This was an advantage for the King, since all their land was given to him. During the crusade many lesser nobles sold their estates, for military supplies, or allowed serfs to buy their freedom. Also, the many serfs that fought during the crusades came back wealthy and free. These free serfs became freeholder on the land or artisans in the towns. As towns began to grow and become less self-sufficient, outside goods became highly demanded and trade began to grow in Western Europe.
The discovery of many luxury goods was brought about by the crusades. Items such as spices, sugar, melon, tapestries, and silk were now highly demanded items in Western Europe. To get these eastern goods, trade began in the Mediterranean.
