World History

In what ways did Western Europe during the Early and High Middle Ages develop into a new, unique civilization yet also show strong continuities with its Roman past?

In answering this question, you will need to illustrate why new economic, political, and religious institutions arose in Western Europe during the Middle Ages (how they were a response to the needs of their times with the collapse of strong, centralized imperial authority), identify the essential characteristics of these institutions, and what elements they maintained from their Roman predecessors.  Note, however, that the Byzantine Empire is not a part of Western Europe and therefore although you might make reference to it you are not required to discuss it in this essay.