EXPANSION OF EUROPE

Economic Change

In 18th century Europe, new social patterns were rising into the culture, while a mix of old heirarchical patterns were still remaining intact. The new ways people were going about their day were changing with the economy, starting with banking.

Banking was not a sure proof planned way to make money, especially for an entire state. For instance the Netherlands turned their back to trade and had banking bringing their income. By using banking, the Netherlands had perfected the way paper currency was trade and used.

As Europe was becoming a major trade center, a lot of commerce would go on in these large, population dense areas, and countries ere having commercial breakthroughs.

Populations were growing quickly in urban areas, everyone was moving in from the more rural area. People were leaving the feudalist lifestyles because the Nobles were losing their positions and could not offer protection anymore, and the Serfs needed to go. So they went to the city. All these serfs were poor, and the city had to expand to fit all these people within it, so slums were being built, and also the thought of housing in the city was attracting more people to the city, which the housing was already either being inhabited or was filling up quickly..

City Expansion and Population Growth

Enclosure

Enclosure movement was a time in the 18th Century when farmers used compact fenced in farms much rather than sharing their land with people. Most landowners had invested time and money into machinery, breeding, and cultivation methods. The enclosure act wasn't working well for people without a large farm. Land owners sought out to raise profit for wool production by placing sheep in captivity together.

Feudalism was being slowly taken out in western Europe because of Navigation acts passed by the Parliament, for more military and more wealth. Feudalism had a key componet, Serfs. Nobles woould give serfs, or peasants, a home, food, and military protection if they could handle the tasks given to them at any moment by their land lord, or Noble.

Population was regulated by the government and other precautionary regulations put into place. For instance a couple could not get married until they were economically stable enough to support themselves without the need of their parents. Often time, a 3 generation household was because a grandparent had moved in with a child of theirs and their family. Along side the rules, generally premarital sex was taboo, and not to be done. By devoting their life in preparations for all f this, when they finally had children they could raise them properly without the fear of them becoming hoodlums, because usually the parent was watchin ver them trying to make sure they follow the path to more success.

Feudalism

Population Control

McKay Textbook

Provided Notes

Dictionary.com definition of feudalism