1. Changing Social Structure

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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