Rise Of Capitalism In Western Europe

The rise of capitalism in western Europe was a dramatic change in comparison to earlier feudal systems; the agricultural means of living that prevailed during the middle ages resulted in lower productivity in comparison to the more technologically advanced capitalism era. The major aspects that exhibit dramatic change when comparing the two time periods are the treatment of labour and the difference in economic growth. Feudalism became apparent in Western Europe, in particular, England during the middle ages and was established by the Normans following their victory in the Battle of Hastings. The feudal system saw the division of different classes in society, in particular; the king, lords, knights and peasants or serfs. In this way, feudalism during the middle ages was a dramatic change to capitalism as it was based around the idea that the lower class
Western Europe was an ordinary part of the world before the emergence of capitalism; it was not richer and was less technologically advanced than other nations such as China. Therefore, the emergence of capitalism presents a dramatic change to the feudalism system that preceded it, and, with this change Europe became one of the dominating forces in political, economic and technological development. According to Marx, what defined feudalism was that “the power of the ruling class (aristocracy) rested on their control of arable land, leading to a class society based upon the exploitation of the peasants who farm these lands, typically under serfdom.” Marx's view outlines how the feudal system during the medieval time period was a dramatic change to the emergence of capitalism in Western Europe; on the one hand, the feudal system forced the division of different social classes in society, however, the capitalist society attempts to diminish the separation of different social