1. Section 3.13 Changing Social Structures

2. Questions to consider: How did the economic changes of the 16 th century affect each class? Describe the economic classes emerging in Europe in the early modern centuries. What accounted for the new demand for education? Why did the economic changes of these years affect the rural classes of eastern Europe and of western Europe differently? With what consequences?

3. How did the Commercial Revolution affect social groups? Social Structure = the composition, functions, and interrelationships of social classes. Let’s start at the top: Landed Aristocrats –Some developed refined tastes, education –Sought govt. positions, military appointments –Nobles of the sword (older nobles) looked down on the nobles of the robe (nouveau riches)

4. Middle Classes (Bourgeoisie) –Group between aristocracy and poor –Began to buy lands (dress and act noble) –Composed of urban elites (ruled cities), clergy (educated), some guild masters, merchants, shopkeepers –Lower middle class of Yeomen farmers (freeholders) Owned their land How did the Commercial Revolution affect social groups?

5. Working Class –Peasantry & Urban Poor Largely illiterate, unskilled, wage laborers Menial jobs The vast majority of the population How did the Commercial Revolution affect social groups? Bruegel’s A Peasant Wedding

6. What impact did the Commercial Revolution have on education? Great demand for education (1580- 1640) Reformation required educated clergy Commercial growth created need for literate workers, lawyers Governments begin to grant endowments to lower classes –Oxford- ½ of student body were plebeian (member of lower classes)

7. Who benefited from the Commercial Revolution? Western Europe –Bourgeoisie –Some Peasants (few) were getting freer some becoming small proprietors Eastern Europe –Upper class –Junkers (lords of Northeast Germany) Prospered from increased demand for grain Gained greater control over their peasants (hereditary subjects) Increase in robot (corvee in France) –3-4 days required labor This is decisive in the history of Europe!!!