AP European History
Social hierarchies refer to the structured ranking of individuals and groups within a society based on various factors such as wealth, power, occupation, and social status. During the period from 1648 to 1815, these hierarchies influenced economic practices and development as they determined access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility. This structured system shaped societal interactions and economic transactions, reinforcing both continuity in traditional roles and changes due to emerging economic practices such as capitalism and mercantilism.