Sample Writing
The Question:
Some historians argue that perhaps the most important
change taking place in early modern Europe was the
host of interrelated consequences stemming from the
population increase and inflation of the ‘long
sixteenth century’. Unlike the more dramatic
events of this era--Renaissance and Reformation, Civil
War and Revolution--these economic and social changes
were not consciously appreciated by the bulk of the
population, but they none the less had a significant
impact because they set the context within which the
history of the period unfolded. Discuss the social
and economic changes going on in early modern Europe
between ca 1450 and 1650, and then show how they affected
any three of the following episodes which we have
discussed: the Reformation in Germany, the Reformation
in England, Renaissance and Baroque art, the Counter-Reformation,
the French Civil Wars, the European witch craze, the
Revolt of the Netherlands, the English Revolution.
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answered:
Sample
Essay #1
Both Renaissance and Baroque art were heavily
influenced by the socio-economic changes in Europe between
1450 and 1650. In Italy, where money was flowing like
water, art flourished under the support of a growing
merchant and upper class. The large amount of trade
that went on in this period mad Italy a wealthy nation
with wealthy patrons. The Medici's, one of the most
infamous rich families of the period, were heavy supporters
of art. They commissioned paintings, sculptures, and
architecture. In addition to the wealth, the market
economy made it easier for artisans to group together
in guilds. These associations were used in large cities
and ensured the security of jobs for artists. They were
specialized and grouped according to craft. Also, the
trade that went on during the time not only allowed
goods to travel, but it took along ideas of different
areas in Europe. Under this system of exchange, people
were exposed to new techniques and styles which created
a plethora of combinations and masterpieces. Once this
economy was fully established, the wealthy began to
show off their stature by commissioning Baroque artists.
The use of grandeur and spectacle is characteristic
of wealthy lifestyle and Baroque art.
The growing social belief in humanism greatly
affected Renaissance art. The Renaissance masters appreciated
and exhibited the classical influences of Greek and
Roman tradition. There was an emphasis on a man-centered
world in which man was God's greatest and most celebrated
creation. The change from Renaissance to Baroque was
from a ma-centered world to a world in motion. The travel
that the Renaissance era had seen led to an expansion
into the New World of the Americas. The exploration
and discovery of the time led to an artistic exploration.
Artists had mastered form and classicism, and now it
was time to experiment with more creative, uneven, and
even grotesque forms of art. The political and social
unrest of the period only contributed to the chaos of
Baroque art. Revolts in the Netherlands and England,
and the Civil Wars in France were all part of the confusion
of the day.
The Revolt of the Netherlands might not have
been possible if it weren't for a stable market economy.
The Netherlands flourished with trade and merchantry,
and most of the populace was well-to-do. As Philip imposed
more and more restrictions on the Netherlands in the
form of unconventional taxation, the revolt gained more
support. The defeat of Spain was largely do to the wealth
of the merchant nation and the difficulty Spain had
holding onto it New World acquisitions.
Philip not only broke custom economically in
the Netherlands, but he also broke the custom of toleration.
The merchants of the Netherlands were passive believers
who even allowed the Anabaptists their freedom. Philip
and his strong Catholic belief tried to make the Netherlands
entirely Catholic. The persecution of Protestants was
unacceptable to Protestants and Catholics alike. This
fueled the revolt against Spain, and the conflict eventually
became one of religion.
Similar to the Revolt of the Netherlands is
the English Revolution. The conflict between Parliament
and king Charles ended with a win on Parliament's side.
They had the ability to raise money and they restricted
the king's ability to do the same. Charles had to force
people into giving him money to fight Parliament, and
he gained no moral support for his cause in doing so.
Parliament had more economic ground to stand on, and
Charles was forced to concede.
Socially, the conflict between the upper class
Arminaians and the middling Puritans was gaining force.
Parliament was highly opposed to any system of religious
practice that promoted grand ceremony and pompous display.
There was also a break from custom when Parliament wanted
more power to govern. In this situation, it was the
revolutionaries breaking custom and the king trying
to maintain tradition.
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Commentary on Sample #1
Sample
Essay #2
The social and economic conditions indicative
of the "long sixteenth century" (1450-1650)
stemmed from rapid population growth following the Black
Plague of the 1340s, the growth of the Market Economy,
inflation and the migration into the cities from the
countryside. While these conditions are evidenced in
a number of situations during the time period, they
are best described in the Revolt of the Netherlands
from Spain, the English Revolution, and the Reformation
in Germany.
Economically, the long 16th century
witnessed a period of increased inflation while wages
remained nearly the same. If 1500 is taken as year 0,
prices would double by 1550, triple by 1600, and increase
by 5 times by 1625. Wages, on the other hand, would
increase only by 2 or 2.5% during the same time period.
This would have consequences for European society, including
a decline in the living standard, which, among urban
workers and peasants, would necessitate the need for
by-employments-moonlighting in another job to compensate.
These economic conditions would also affect social conditions
in the towns. Journeymen, who before 1500 could hope
to become masters of their own shops through training
and eventually setting up their own shop, could no longer
hope to do this. Money, which had been available for
Wallington through his father, for example, was no longer
accessible. The result was increased polarization in
the towns between wealthy masters and their hired workers
(who were also skilled enough to be masters). This also
built up resentment among the lower classes.
Polarization was also evident in the countryside.
With the increase in inflation the value of food also
rose. This was exaggerated by an increase in population
after 1400 which also increased the demand for food
and land. Land became much more of a commodity and was
used in much more rational ways. Landowners invested
in their land to make the most of it. Rents in kind
were replaced by monetary payments, the "economic
lease" on land developed. Landowners got richer.
For small family farms, the outcome was not
as good. As the population expanded, land became less
accessible--soon family plots were not big enough to
sufficiently feed all family members. Younger sons often
went to the towns to look for employment or farmers
would take up by-employments to compensate. The result
was increased competition in towns between moonlighting
farmers and artisans already there. The Merchant class
began to rise in importance, economically, socially
and politically. We will see this evidence in bother
the English and Dutch Revolutions.
Also significant socially during this time period
was the rise and spread of Protestantism. This significantly
altered traditional beliefs and customs in some countries--particularly
the Netherlands and England. Calvinist Resistance Theory,
in particular, played a role in these two countries.
The Revolt of the Netherlands in indicative
of these changes. Charles V's, but more extensively,
Phillip II's intervention in the political and religious
affairs of the region combined with the development
listed above, directly led to their revolt.
Philip II, who succeeded his father as King
of Spain in 1558 was an ardent Catholic who had inherited
a great debt. His two main missions in the Dutch territory
he had inherited were to raise money and impose Catholicism.
Both endeavors were met with resistance by the Dutch
who saw Philip as a foreign king without their interests
at heart. His attempt to impose taxes with royal collectors,
his attempt to cash in on the Dike levys and his attempt
to impose Catholicism on the region known for its "toleration"
and sympathy to Protestantism all met with fierce resistance.
The Dutch were a wealthy nation, made up mostly of merchants
who had risen to high social status thanks to the economic
conditions of the long 16th century. Their
government was largely autonomous--resembling the HRE's
network of principalities. Calvinist Resistance Theory
has come to the Dutch from Geneva, creating a political
struggle between the king and his subjects. The inevitable
result of revolution was due to all of these changes
brought about under the long 16th century.
The English Revolution, too, is evidence of
these social and economic changes. Like the Dutch, the
middle (merchant) class had risen in power under the
English Parliamentary House of Commons by the 1640's.
The introduction of Renaissance ideas, including humanism,
had insulated the gentry from the aristocracy's influence.
Parliamentary handling of monetary affairs made the
king rely on them for funds. Religiously, the Puritans
had taken a stronghold in the House of Commons with
a strong sympathy to Calvinist Resistance Theory. (God's
law is greater than the king's.) Tensions between the
king and Parliament festered over issues of authority,
money and religion. Also in England, increased population
and inflation led to an increase in social depravity,
something the Puritans felt was their obligation to
remedy and they needed the power to do so. The English
Revolution came about largely because of the same issues
of the Dutch Revolt. Increased social polarization,
tension between the king and Parliament over authority
and religious issues.
The Reformation of Germany is evident of religious
issues, but it also had social and political motives
too. The decline in living standards game many motive
to convert, seeking in Protestantism a better life for
themselves. It also offered a chance to resist the elite,
as evidenced in the German peasant's revolt of 1521.
The power of the princes over the Holy Roman Emperor
are also significant (demonstrated in Frederick the
Wise's protection of Luther). Also the power of the
king comes into question--Charles is forced to concede
and allow the Peace of Augsburg to be implemented in
1555. Luther appeals to the Christian nobility in 1520,
not the king.
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Commentary on Sample #2
Sample
Essay #3
Europe, between 1450 and 1650 was going through
many changes. Economically, Europe's commerce was booming,
especially along the coastline where many of the products
were first distributed. Europe's population was also
growing after the many deaths of the Black Plague. New
methods of growing crops allowed for a longer life for
the people.
Socially, Europe was changing in the way it
thought. In education, women were being taught other
subjects besides household duties and religion. This
idea was helped along with the humanists. Also, with
Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in
the 1500's, the illiteracy of people decreased. People
became more aware of their surrounding and began searching
for answers.
The Reformation in German was affected by these
changes, especially with the invention of the printing
press. Many Germans were illiterate. Using the printing
press and woodcuts, it gave many Germans the opportunity
to know what was occurring at the time. Being able to
know the occurrences of that time, they were able to
voice their opinions.
The changes also affected Renaissance and Baroque
art. Finally women were given the chance to pursue a
career in art. Many humanists called for educating women
in other subjects. This soon opened schools for women.
Also, new styles of painting were emerging. The paintings
and other artwork were becoming more realistic and natural
and lifelike. No more of those elongated bodies, or
unproportioned bodies.
The witch craze brought change in that it propelled
the thought of finding the truth of how things worked
and why it happened. Things that were seen as out of
the ordinary was blamed as being the work of witches.
It was soon recognized that these things weren't occurring
because of magic or sorcery. This led them to search
for the real answers, and the invention and founding
of many of the ideas we still hold today. For example,
Copernicus's theory that it wasn't the Earth that was
the center of the universe, as suggested by Ptolemy,
but it was rather the sun that was at the center of
the universe. Many people found that hard to believe
then, but it eventually was found that Copernicus was
right in his theory.
Jump to the
Commentary on Sample #3
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