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Questions and Answers
What is the middle class?
What is the middle class?
What does the term 'bourgeoisie' refer to?
What does the term 'bourgeoisie' refer to?
The class of well-off town dwellers in early modern Europe whose wealth came from manufacturing, finance, commerce, and allied professions.
What is a burgher?
What is a burgher?
A medieval merchant-class town dweller.
What is a charter?
What is a charter?
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What is a guild?
What is a guild?
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What is an apprentice?
What is an apprentice?
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What is a journeyman?
What is a journeyman?
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What caused the development of the middle class in the Middle Ages?
What caused the development of the middle class in the Middle Ages?
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Study Notes
Middle Class in the Middle Ages
- The middle class comprised skilled workers, professionals, businesspeople, and wealthy farmers, playing a crucial role in economic development.
- Known as the bourgeoisie, this class emerged in early modern Europe, accumulating wealth through manufacturing, finance, and commerce.
Key Terms
- Burgher: Refers to a member of the medieval merchant class, typically residing in towns and engaging in trade.
- Charter: An important legal document that granted rights to organize settlements, fostering the development of towns and commerce during this period.
Economic Structure
- Guild: An organized association of artisans or merchants who regulated their respective professions, ensuring quality and fair practices.
- Apprentice: Young individuals working under a master artisan to acquire skills necessary for a trade, playing a vital role in vocational training.
- Journeyman: After 5 to 7 years of apprenticeship, individuals advanced to this status, enabling them to earn wages and eventually establish their own businesses.
Development Factors of the Middle Class
- Economic opportunities arose from increased trade and commerce, leading to a growing demand for skilled labor.
- Political changes, including the granting of charters, laid the groundwork for towns and the merchant class's financial stability and influence.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the middle class during the Middle Ages with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential terms and definitions related to the social structure of medieval society, focusing on classes like the bourgeoisie and burghers.
