1. Changing Social Structures
Section 3.13

2. Questions to consider
Describe the economic classes emerging in Europe in the early modern centuries. How did the economic changes of the 16th century affect each class?
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
Landed Aristocrats
Some developed refined tastes, education
Sought gov positions, military appointments
Nobles of the sword (older nobles) looked down on the nobles of the robe (nouveau riches)

4. How did the Commercial Revolution affect social groups?
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

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

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

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