#AP European History: Social Structures & Daily Life (1450-1648) 🏰

Hey, future AP Euro master! Let's break down social structures and daily life in this period. Think of this as your cheat sheet for tonight—quick, clear, and packed with what you need to ace that exam! 🚀

#The Social Hierarchy

Despite all the religious drama, the social ladder remained pretty stable. Here's the gist:

• Land = Power: Owning land was still the ultimate flex, signifying high social status. 👑
• Aristocracy Still on Top: Nobles enjoyed special perks like tax breaks and legal protection. It was good to be the king (or a noble, at least). 💰
• Religion & Class: The Reformation created a religious split that often mirrored class lines. Many nobles became Protestant, while many monarchs stayed Catholic. ⛪

#Women's Roles: More Than Just Childbearers?

• Traditional Gender Roles: Men were seen as breadwinners, and women were in charge of domestic duties. Think: men work, women cook. 🍳
• Childbearing as Duty: Women were expected to have children, especially noble women who had wet nurses to help. 👶
• Limited Education: The Renaissance and Reformation sparked debates about women's education, but generally, they didn't get much. The question of whether women could be preachers was mostly a no. 🙅‍♀️

#Morality and Control

• Cities as Moral Police: With the Church busy fighting the Reformation, cities stepped up to regulate public morality. 👮
• Public Humiliation: Punishments like whipping and stocks were common. It was all about public shaming. 😾
• Snitches Get...Nothing: Citizens were encouraged to report immoral behavior. Think of it as early neighborhood watch, but with more stakes. 🕵️‍♀️

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

• Witch Hunts: Medieval ideas and societal turmoil led to a rise in witchcraft accusations...