Middle Ages Middle Class Terminology

Questions and Answers

What is the middle class?

The working class consisting of unskilled laborers.

A group of poor farmers.

Nobility and landowners.

A social class made up of skilled workers, professionals, business people, and wealthy farmers. (correct)

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?

A medieval merchant-class town dweller.

What is a charter?

A document that gives the holder the right to organize settlements in an area. Signup and view all the answers

What is a guild?

An association of people who work at the same occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What is an apprentice?

A person who works for another in order to learn a trade. Signup and view all the answers

What is a journeyman?

What the apprentice became after 5 to 7 years and they had to work for wages. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the development of the middle class in the Middle Ages?

Be able to discuss Signup and view all the answers

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.

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.