Questions and Answers
What social group emerged in the eighteenth century and how did they earn their wealth?
The middle class emerged, earning their wealth through overseas trade and the manufacture of goods like textiles.
Which professions were included in the third estate alongside merchants and manufacturers?
The third estate included professions such as lawyers and administrative officials.
What belief did members of the middle class hold about social position?
Members believed that social position should depend on merit, not birth.
Which philosophers advocated for a society based on freedom and equal laws?
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What doctrine did John Locke seek to refine in his work, Two Treatises of Government?
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Study Notes
Emergence of the Middle Class
- Eighteenth century marked the rise of the middle class, a new social group.
- Wealth accumulation stemmed from expanding overseas trade and manufacturing of goods, particularly woolen and silk textiles.
- Middle class catered to both domestic consumption and export markets.
Composition of the Middle Class
- Included merchants, manufacturers, and professionals such as lawyers and administrative officials.
- These individuals were typically well-educated and sought social mobility based on merit rather than birth.
Ideological Foundations
- Philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau played key roles in shaping middle-class ideology.
- Advocated for a society where social position was determined by individual merit, not aristocratic privilege.
- Locke's Two Treatises of Government critiqued the divine right of kings, proposing a system of governance based on natural rights and equality.
Societal Vision
- Ideas promoted a vision of freedom, equal laws, and opportunities for all members of society.
- Movement emphasized the importance of education and individual capability in achieving social status.
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Description
Explore the rise of the middle class in the eighteenth century, highlighting the impact of overseas trade and manufacturing on their wealth. This quiz delves into the prominent professions within this social group, including merchants, manufacturers, and educated professionals. Test your understanding of the factors that contributed to this significant social change.
