EVALUATE AND COMMUNICATE 7. Propose which groups in European society are least likely to have their views recorded in written sources. 8. Explain what conclusions can be drawn from the SOURCES2 , 3 , 4 and 5 about this period. Answers and sample responses for this topic are available online.
LESSON 2.3 What caused economic and social change in the Early Modern Period?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: • explain how economic changes transformed the medieval world • describe how town and city growth shaped modernity • discuss how trade expansion drove the shift to the modern world.
Tune in In SOURCE1 , the writer questions how we should understand the causes of major changes from 1500 to 1650.
SOURCE1 From Roland H. Bainton, The Age of the Reformation , New York, 1956, p. 4
The Age of the Reformation was an age of upheaval. With regard to every such era dispute arises as to whether events precipitated ideas or ideas incited events. Undoubtedly travel, discovery, invention and the consolidation of power prompted reflection about institutions and about the ultimate problems of life.
Discuss these questions with the class: 1. What does the author suggest about whether events caused changes in ideas, or if ideas caused events? 2. Can you think of a modern example where we wonder if events shape ideas or if ideas drive events?
2.3.1 Economic changes The period 1500–1650 is often described as a time of transition from the medieval system of feudalism to the modern system of capitalism . In feudalism, vassals held land in return for services to their lords , who were supposed to provide them with protection. Capitalism is the modern economic system in which production and trade are privately owned for profit. In the early 1300s, wars, the Black Death (bubonic plague) and the Little Ice Age reduced Europe’s population, causing famine. After 1350, the number of towns grew again and some towns and cities grew wealthy and powerful.
24 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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