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FEUDALISM

FEUDALISM. Social Class and Mobility. Feudalism’s decline.

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FEUDALISM

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  1. FEUDALISM Social Class and Mobility

  2. Feudalism’s decline • The feudal system declined from the 13th century, gradually giving way to the class system as the dominant form of social ranking, partly because of the growth of a money economy, with medieval trade, commerce, and industry, and partly because of the many peasants' revolts between 1350–1550, such as the Peasant's Revolt of 1381. • Villeinage, or serfdom, ended in England in the 16th century, but lasted in France until 1789 and in the rest of Western Europe until the early 19th century. In Russia it continued until 1861.

  3. Introduction of Europe before America • General overall version of social status/rank in Europe before and during the early years of America. • Factors to consider why people would be willing to “risk it all” to travel to America.

  4. France – model of Feudalism used for this lesson • This model does not apply to all of Europe, but gives a good sample of some of the social situations facing people in Europe

  5. 1st Estate Royalty Aristocracy Clergy 2nd Estate 3rd Estate Bourgeoisies Proletariat Serfs

  6. Royalty • “Devine right of Kings” • Born into power by the will of God • Absolute rule • Blood line determines everything (Blue Bloods)

  7. Clergy • Very powerful, “Fear of God” • Receive land for free from royalty • Tax exempt • Live a life of poverty, but never wanted for anything • Convince the 3rd Estate that they are where they are in social rank due to blood and the will of God • Suffer now for paradise later (Serfs) This is your “Lot in Life”

  8. Aristocracy (Barons) • Born into social class • Receive privileges from king • Own land given by king or handed down from family line • Hold fancy expensive parties with big dresses, wine, food, entertainment, etc • Social position is everything • Tax their land dwellers, and give a portion to the king. • Had Knights in some areas which would defend their land

  9. Bourgeoisie • Professionals of the economy • Well educated, bankers, lawyers, business owners • Keep the economy going, but receive no privileges • Limited political power the social class which obtains income from ownership or trade in capital (economics) assets, or from commercial activities such as the buying and selling of commodities, wares and services. In medieval times, the bourgeois was typically a self-employed proprietor, small employer, entrepreneur, banker or merchant.

  10. Proletariat • Working class people • Blue collar, avg education • Limited political power • Dockworkers, assembly line, carpenters, electricians, etc The proletariat is, in Engels' words, "the class of modern wage laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live"

  11. Serfs • Poor, uneducated, no voice in politics • Born into serfdom, determined by blood. • No ownership of land • Have a plot of land on a Lord’s Manor, till his fields, and get a small portion to feed his/her family.

  12. What causes revolutions • According to Marxism, capitalism is a system based on the exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie (the "capitalists", who own and control the means of production). This exploitation takes place as follows: the workers, who own no means of production of their own, must seek jobs in order to live. They get hired by a capitalist and work for him, producing some sort of goods or services. These goods or services then become the property of the capitalist, who sells them and gets a certain amount of money in exchange. One part of the wealth produced is used to pay the workers' wages, while the other part (surplus value) is split between the capitalist's private takings (profit), and the money used to pay rent, buy supplies and renew the forces of production. Thus the capitalist can earn money (profit) from the work of his employees without actually doing any work, or in excess of his own work. Marxists argue that new wealth is created through work; therefore, if someone gains wealth that he did not work for, then someone else works and does not receive the full wealth created by his work. In other words, that "someone else" is exploited. Thus, Marxists argue that capitalists make a profit by exploiting workers.

  13. Social Mobility • Opportunity to raise or lower ones social position in a society • Rich or Poor based on….. • Money • Education • Possessions • Abilities • Connections (Social and Political)

  14. Social Mobility • Aristocracy – high social position based on blood. Enjoy the fruits of others labor • Bourgeoisie – top of the 3rd estate, based on talent and education, but will never be a part of the upper class (2nd Estate) • Proletariat – could move up to Bourgeoisie, but seldom ever happened. Didn’t marry Bourgeoisie class (Romeo and Juliet) • Serfs – stuck, never could move. “God intended them to be serfs, and they shouldn’t question what God planned”

  15. Social Mobility • Social class should be determined by talent, education and productivity (Capitalism) • Feudalism was a system that forced people to stay in their specific social class even if they were productive and talented (Bour and Pro) or born into serfdom.

  16. America • Based on freedom, presented opportunity for ownership of land, limited taxes based on democratic vote, etc

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