Answer:
These are the correct options:
B. Trade was difficult.
C. There was political division in the continent.
E. Europe was a mass of small duchies and provinces.
Explanation:
B. Trade was difficult.
During the ninth and tenth centuries, trade was in a very small-scale, and had not recovered yet to the same level it was during the height of the Roman Empire. This is because states were unstable, often at war with each other, or being invaded. Trade needs stability and mutual confidence and Europe did not have either.
C. There was political division in the continent.
A map of Europe in the year 900 (which marks the middle point between the ninth and tenth century) shows a very divided continent: the old Carolingian Empire had divided in the Kingdom of the West Franks (which would become France) and the Kingdom of the East Franks (which would become Germany). Britain was constituted by over 10 states of anglo-saxon, celtic, and norse origin, and the Iberian Peninsula was split among Christian kingdoms and a Islamic Emirate.
E. Europe was a mass of small duchies and provinces.
Not only were central states unstable, they also did not hold too much power. In reality, Europe was becoming feudal, which means that local lords who held smaller territories had almost total control over taxation and military matters in their lands, and the central authorities needed to ask for their cooperation in case of war or economic need.
