key term - Impoverished Masses

Definition

The impoverished masses refer to the large groups of people living in poverty, often lacking basic necessities such as food, shelter, and access to education. During the period from 1450 to 1750, technological innovations had a significant impact on societal structures and economies, frequently exacerbating inequalities that left these masses struggling to improve their conditions while benefiting a select few.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The impoverished masses were often made up of peasants, laborers, and urban workers who faced harsh living conditions due to economic exploitation and lack of rights.
2. Technological innovations, such as the printing press and advancements in agriculture, changed how information spread and how food was produced, but these changes often benefited the wealthy landowners more than the poor.
3. Urbanization during this time led many impoverished individuals to migrate to cities seeking work, only to find themselves in overcrowded conditions with little pay.
4. Social hierarchies were reinforced during this period, as technological progress did not translate into better living conditions for the impoverished; instead, it often increased the wealth gap.
5. Revolutions and uprisings, including those driven by the frustrations of the impoverished masses, highlighted the growing discontent with social inequalities and paved the way for future political change.

Review Questions

• How did technological innovations from 1450 to 1750 affect the living conditions of the impoverished masses?
  • Technological innovations during this period often led to greater productivity and wealth for landowners and entrepreneurs while simultaneously worsening living conditions for the impoverished masses. As agricultural techniques improved, many small farmers were pushed off their land and forced to become laborers or move to overcrowded cities in search of work. While innovations like the printing press allowed for more information dissemination, they did not significantly improve the daily lives of those in poverty.
• Evaluate the role of mercantilism in creating economic disparities between classes during this period.
  • Mercantilism played a significant role in establishing economic disparities as it focused on state control over trade and wealth accumulation. The policies favored wealthy merchants and colonial powers who controlled trade routes, leaving little benefit for the impoverished masses. These economic structures reinforced class divisions, as profits from trade rarely trickled down to those who labored at the bottom of society. This unequal distribution of wealth contributed to social tensions and unrest among the poor.
• Analyze how the plight of the impoverished masses influenced social movements and changes in governance from 1450 to 1750.
  • The struggles faced by the impoverished masses during this period became a catalyst for various social movements and shifts in governance. As dissatisfaction grew due to economic exploitation and harsh living conditions, uprisings began to occur, challenging existing power structures. These movements highlighted grievances against feudal systems and mercantilist policies, prompting calls for reform and contributing to eventual changes in governance models across Europe. The rising awareness of class inequalities helped pave the way for democratic ideas and revolutions that emerged in later centuries.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution:

A period of rapid industrial growth that began in the late 18th century, marked by advancements in machinery and production methods which led to urbanization and changes in labor dynamics.

Feudal System:

A hierarchical structure of land ownership and duties that characterized medieval Europe, where peasants worked land owned by nobles in exchange for protection and a place to live.

Mercantilism:

An economic theory and practice prevalent from the 16th to the 18th century that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and maintaining a favorable balance of exports over imports.