FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD
CONTINUITY: feudal economics and society
CONTINUITY: kings and kingdoms
The strcture of society was the same as the structure during the Middle Ages. Social groups were divided based on privileges.
The social structure was reflected in the political order the time. Power was fragmented and the subjects of disputes between monarchs, privileged estates and cities.These led to social and political instability (armed conflicts, violence revolts). The disputes also led to the appearance of institutions such us the courts and parliaments of the estates of the realm.
THE THREE ESTATES
Noblemen
Clergy
Only pay taxes to the monarch if they agreed in the parliaments
The most important noblemen had feudal estates
Did not work
Enjoy privileges
Had a spiritual function
Collect tithe
Did no pay taxes
Members of the high clergy could also be feudal lords
The king was at the top of the social system, his power depended on the powerful privileged estates
Third Estate
Merchants
Doctors
artisans
Lawyers
Peasants
.
.
.
They were judge by their lords if they lived on a feudal manor
The taxes they paid sustained the privileged estates
Collective privileges: cities
Cities enjoyed the greatest collective privileges.
These privileges were exercised through the city council.
Changes: key characteristics of a new era
Cultural changes
Religious Changes
Economic changes
Social Changes
The Early Modern Period was a time of great change compared with the conditions of the previous period.
Political changes
Craftwork and trade experienced a period of important growth, but crop and livestock farming continued to be the main economic activities.
Economic growth in cities
Need to obtain precious metals.
New artistic style appeared, Renaissance art, as well as new cultural movements,Humanism
A revolutionary invention: Printing invention.
Europeans also discovered and explored continents
Jews and Muslims were persecuted
New sets of beliefs against the pope
Never outnumbered the peasants nor gained as much power as the nobility
Europe recovered from population crisis.
As cities grew, the wealthy middle class become more important
Although courts and parliaments did not disappear
Monarchies gained absolute power
Factors leading to geographical discoveries
Political and religious factors
Sociological factors
Demographic factors
Scientific and technical factors
Economic Factors
Gold and silver were needed to make coins
Europe highly dependent on products from Asia
The traditional trade route was blocked so alternative routes had to be found
After the population crisis, the population grew and there was a higher demand for precious metals and products.
Rivalry between Islamic and Christian states. This rivalry relevant in Iberian kingdoms.
Associated with Renaissance and desire to learn and explore
Scientific and technological advances in navigation, such as new believed that the world was round, not flat