Changing Social Structure 1500-1700

Demographic Changes and Social Structures Europe’s population maxed out at 100 million in about 1550 It dropped to around 80 million by 1650 Recovered to 100 million again by 1700

Economic developments rippled through the class structure The aristocracy continued to maintain its primary position through the addition of “new blood” Nobles of the Sword Nobles of the Robe

Below the nobles were the bourgeoisie, or burghers, who lived in the towns Towns also thrived on the labor of the lower middle class or the petit bourgeoisie

Agriculture and the Countryside Agriculture was generally practiced in a village setting, with decisions made communally Subsistence agricultural system – growing enough to feed the village with little leftover for export

Each village included a common area, used for livestock grazing, wood-gathering, and hunting Throughout the 16th century, England began selling off common land to allow for its purchase by wealthy landowners Practice created a new non aristocratic class of wealthy landowners and increased numbers of landless poor

Between these two groups stood the “yeomanry” or small freeholders who owned their land

Paths of western and eastern Europe began to diverge more during the 17th century Peasants of Western Europe became from serfdom and feudal obligations Peasants of Eastern Europe were more drawn more tightly into a highly codified system of laws

Life in the Towns Only 10 to 20% of Europeans lived in towns and cities Urban centers played an economic and cultural role Cities acted as magnets for the countryside, attracting both landless laborers and those seeking opportunities

By the end of the 16th century, most cities could no longer handle the influx of new residents The majority of city dwellers were the working poor By 1550, poverty reached crisis proportions in many European nations

Traditional religious and charitable institutions were overwhelmed Governments began to enact strict regulations that distinguished between deserving and undeserving poor Crime acted as the ever-present companion to poverty Punishment was often cruel

Family and Communal Life Most basic institution in European life was the family The nuclear family predominated Average marriage age for men was mid-to-late 20s and early to mid 20’s for women

Aristocracy experienced 8 to 9 live births Middle to lower class women experienced 6 to 7 live births Old age was rare began of high infant mortality and low life expectancy

Women proved to be an integral part of the family economy Children were expected to contribute to the family unit Children often did not receive full legal rights until they established their own residences

Periods of extended labor were followed by periods of extended celebration In Catholic nations, the church calendar dictated the pace of work and leisure Carnival served as the largest of the festivals World Turned Upside Down Day

To ensure social conformity, many localities imposed rituals of public humiliation on those who stepped outside of community standards

Witchcraft Persecution One of the most notable social phenomena of early modern Europe At its height from 1580 to 1700 Beliefs and socioeconomic conditions gave rise to the hysteria

Increased Bible reading emphasized the devil and the weak and credulous nature of women Religious passions created suspicion among communities Those targeted tended to exist on the margins of the community

Poor, older women, those living alone were often those who were accused Women were believed to have special knowledge of and powers over the body Often did supplement family income by preparing cures or potions

With general acceptance of scientific explanations by elites, the witch trials declined after 1720 and were almost gone by 1750