The Middle Ages played a crucial role in shaping modern Western civilization, serving as a bridge between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. This period saw the rise of feudalism, the establishment of universities, and the foundation of Christianity's influence on culture and politics. The Middle Ages also fostered advancements in art, architecture (notably Gothic cathedrals), and learning, preserving and expanding on classical knowledge. Additionally, the events of the Middle Ages, such as the Crusades and the Black Death, had profound impacts on societal structures and thinking, paving the way for modern nation-states and cultural developments in Europe.