Chapter 15: The Experiences of Life in Early Modern Europe, 1500-1650

  • Culture was dictated by the classes and not geography or the country
  • There was an increase in agricultural production, population, and commodity prices
  • 90% of the people resided on farms and small villages
  • Social organization focused on 3 factors   * Manor, Parish, and Rural Administration
  • Bad harvests presented a constant threat
  • Lords owned the lands, commonly rented it
  • Western European peasants were in ownership of a greater percentage of land
  • Social and economic life was dominated by Guilds   * Set standard for labor conditions, wages, training
  • Towns were interdependent on other towns and the countryside
  • Population grew between 1550-1650   * Caused conflicts in cities   * Increased crime and poverty   * Lower wages
  • Prices of goods increased greatly between 1550 and 1650   * Happened due to population increase, war, increase in precious metals
  • There was a social hierarchy   * Wealth was a poor indicator of one’s position while Status was what mattered
  • Body Politic   * Metaphor which saw the state as a body     * Head: Rulers     * Arms: Protectors     * Hands: Crafts     * Stomach: Nourished     * Feet: Labor     * Soul: Church   * There was an implication of interdependence and hierarchy
  • Social Classes   * Nobles had privileges and obligations   * Wealthy farmers with tenants began to act like nobles   * Rise of Gentry created a rift between new money and old money   * New Rich     * expanded wealth and population     * created demand for increased ruling class     * Due to Price Revolution   * New Poor     * Greater dislocation of the poor     * Due to Price Revolution
  • Peasant Revolts took place   * German Peasants’ War (uprisings)
  • Life consisted of new worlds, religious reform, centralization of state, and war
  • The nuclear family was a married couple with children
  • Women went through as many pregnancies as possible and worked in the household
  • Men worked in public and were viewed as the leadership within the house
  • Wedding served as public events that were a rite of passage into the adult community
  • Witchcraft was believed to be the use of magic for evil   * 30,000 victims from 1550-1650 (80% women)

\