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

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.

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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