16. When Charlemagne's empire fell, Europe no longer had a powerful central government. Nobles who owned land became more powerful than kings. This led to a new system of government. Under this system, nobles ruled and protected the people. In return, the people worked for the nobles. Most of these people were known as serfs. They fought in the noble's army or farmed the noble's land. By 1000, the kingdoms of Europe were divided into thousands of areas ruled by nobles. Most of these territories were very small. Using your knowledge of history, which economic system of government is described the answer choices are capitalism Mercantilism feudalism and colonialism