Government Forms Replacing the Roman Empire in Europe

After the Western Roman Empire fell (476 AD), Europe developed diverse political systems over centuries:

• Feudalism (Early–High Middle Ages): Decentralized lord-vassal relationships; land for military service; dominant 9th–15th centuries.
• Monarchy (Middle Ages–Modern): Hereditary sovereign rule; evolved from feudal kings to absolute then constitutional monarchies.
• Republics (Renaissance–Modern): Power via elected representatives; early examples: Venice, Dutch Republic; expanded post-Enlightenment.
• Democracy (19th–20th Century): Universal suffrage, parliamentary systems; became dominant in Europe by 1900s.

The transition was gradual and regionally varied, not a single replacement.