Ap euro Social developments from 600-1550

Rise of Serfdom

900

Serfs were bound to the lands they tilled and were ultimately bound to the bidding of their lord or master. Serfs did not use money and primarily relied on bartering for the exchange of goods. Money was not needed as all foodstuffs and most other types of goods were produced by an individual and his or her family, and then whatever could be needed, such as a new plow, could be traded for with another serf. Thus northern Europe had a very weak economy that concentrated power with landowners.

Council of Claremont and the subsequent crusades

1095

This council held by Pope Urban II started the first Crusade. This had a huge social impact as many serfs were able to leave the confines of the manor and were able to amass riches and wealth in cities and towns that they came across on their way to the holy land. This also meant that they now existed entirely outside of the feudal pyramid and were able to live as their own masters.

Towns and Guilds

1100

A demand for trade was created after the crusades as a result of the exposure to goods from the far east such as silk and tea. Trading hubs were then established to centralize merchants and craftsmen who could either arrange for the import of such goods. Craftsmen and artisans would centralize in these towns as well to sell their own goods and services to customers. This shifted power away from landowners and into the hands of the now blossoming middle class.

Magna Carta

1215

The signing of the Magna Carta allocated power away from King John and into the hands of the lesser lords of England, as well as lying the foundation for all bills of rights to come afterwords. The main accomplishment of this document was also the creation of a parliament and effectively, a check to the power of the king in European society.

Black Death

1347

This event set back much of the progress that had been made in Europe socially and economically since the crusades. Many people were unable to go to towns to trade or partake in the economy, growth fell in that regard. The advancement of culture also decreased as many were unable to partake in social events such as plays, in fear of catching the plague.

The Renaissance

1400

The Renaissance's focus on individualism along with economic growth, caused Italy in particular to push businessmen to the top of society and began to replace the royals of yore with bankers and merchants. Wealth became the new standard by which power was attributed, not land.

Widespread use of gunpowder

1400

This replaced knights almost entirely with mercenaries and other soldiers who no longer lived by a code of chivalry or honor, and thus did away with knights as powerful landowners in society. Now soldiers had to be paid and so wars were much more expensive. This means that loans had to be given to pay for them and gave bankers sway and power over even kings.

Printing Press

1439

Guttenberg's printing press allowed for the growth of the market for books as now authors could print thousands of books per year, as opposed to at times under 100 prior to the invention. This also allowed for education to become widespread, as many books were now being written in the vernacular and not Latin. This allowed for social mobility as education allows for the holding of skilled professions and thus a higher pay.

Discovery of the West indies

1492

Columbus'' expeditions resulted in the rise of mercantilism, the economic system by which a colony is created to serve the mother country's economic needs. This meant that raw materials could be purchased at very low prices to produce manufactured goods at high profit margins and spurred economic growth. Again putting more power into the hands of businessmen and away from landowners.

Protestant Reformation

1517

Luther's Theses have such an important social impact because of the tension and wars that followed as a result of the split of protestants and Catholics. Another major change was that of money not buying paradise. Peasants and serfs naturally gravitated to this and even rose up against their catholic lords as a result.