Lesson 2.1

Rise of the Middle Class

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, European societies were based on the feudal system. This system clearly delineated an individual’s place in society. This structure is illustrated in the diagram.

Monarch – This position in society was recognized as bestowed by God. The actions of the monarch were unquestioned because it was believed that the monarch’s actions were answerable only to God.

Clergy – Members of this group were recognized as the only authority capable of interpreting the word of God. Most of the clergy were drawn from the nobility.

Nobility – Members of this group held their land, privileges, and status through right of birth. The family passed down membership through the generations.

Serfs – The majority of society were grouped as serfs. Their relationship to the land and the noble who owned the land was passed down through the generations. Their major role was to work the noble’s land. Their well-being was dependent on the good will of the noble who owned the land.

The majority of the population would be found in the lower-ranking portion of the pyramid. Social status determined your identity and was passed down through generations.

With increasing life expectancy due to improved agricultural practices and urbanization, a middle class emerged in the fifteenth century. This middle class grew in numbers and in education. The structure of feudal society began to alter. These educated members of society were open to the ideas embraced by the Renaissance thinkers. These were ideas that held the ancient Romans and Greeks as role models, embraced life, and enjoyed the arts, music, and lifestyle of a member of Renaissance society. The shift in thinking also influenced how society was structured. Monarchs gained political power, and citizens identified closely with belonging to the monarch’s kingdom. The quality of life was improving in most of Europe. This led to surplus labourers. The colonies became the outlets for growing populations.

Mercantilism

Some form of capitalism existed in the Roman and Byzantine Empires as part of the system of commerce and trade. In feudal Europe, lending and building profit were discouraged. By the fifteenth century, capitalist activities grew out of increased trade and simple manufacturing of goods. Money was necessary for manufacturing and trade. The acquisition of money meant that profit had to be accumulated.

The business of outfitting armies for the Crusades generated a trade network that encouraged capitalism. A class of merchants and bankers emerged to finance new commerce ventures. The monarchs of Portugal, Spain, France, and England emerged from the feudal system with greater political powers and were quick to enter into the business of financing international expeditions in search of new sources of wealth. This created the system of mercantilism. Expeditions were sent to claim new colonies and sources of gold and silver for the monarch’s country. By the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, this time period of intense European mercantilist activity became known as the Age of Mercantilism. 

Global Competition

Portugal was one of the first European empires to travel the ocean and enforce strict systems of tribute and taxation on each port it visited. Spain, France, and England joined in the search and control of wealth in new lands. This led to a fierce competition for colonial territories that resulted in many wars both in Europe and in America. The Seven Years’ War between France and England is one such example.