2.6 16th-Century Society and Politics

• What were the three estates in the 16th-century social structure?

  Clergy, Nobility, Commoners
• The social structure in the 16th century was rigidly divided into three estates: the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commoners
• The clergy in the 16th century were exempt from taxes.
• Match the estate with its primary roles and privileges:

  Clergy ↔️ Provided spiritual guidance

  Nobility ↔️ Held land and titles

  Commoners ↔️ Paid taxes and worked
• What was the primary role of the clergy in the 16th century?

  Spiritual guidance
• The nobility in the 16th century commanded armies and advised rulers
• Commoners in the 16th century had significant political rights.

  False
• What was the primary responsibility of the commoners in the 16th century?

  Paying taxes
• The 16th-century social structure was divided into three estates: the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commoners
• The clergy owned land and collected tithes in the 16th century.
• What privilege did the nobility enjoy in the 16th century?

  Tax exemptions
• The commoners in the 16th century sought spiritual guidance from the clergy
• The clergy influenced political decisions in the 16th century.
• What role did the nobility play in the 16th-century government?

  Administered justice
• The clergy in the 16th century owned land and were exempt from taxes
• The nobility advised rulers and commanded armies in the 16th century.
• What was the primary contribution of the commoners to the 16th-century economy?

  Payment of taxes
• The 16th-century social structure was divided into three estates: the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commoners
• The clergy's role in the 16th century included administering sacraments.
• What privilege did the nobility enjoy in the 16th century?

  Tax exemptions
• The commoners in the 16th century worked as peasants, artisans, and merchants
• The clergy held high social status in the 16th century.
• What was the nobility's primary responsibility in the 16th century?

  Commanding armies
• The commoners in the 16th century had few rights
• The commoners were subject to the authority of both the clergy and nobility.
• What privilege did the clergy enjoy in the 16th century?

  Tax exemptions
• Match the political system with its key characteristics:

  Absolute Monarchy ↔️ Centralized power

  Feudalism ↔️ Decentralized authority
• In an absolute monarchy, the monarch held absolute authority
• What two political systems dominated 16th-century Europe?

  Monarchies and feudalism
• Absolute monarchy is characterized by centralized power and absolute authority
• What was one influence of absolute monarchies on European states?

  Increased state control
• Feudalism maintained nobility power while limiting state control.
• France under Louis XIV exemplified an absolute monarchy
• Match the role with the social class in 16th-century Europe:

  Monarchies ↔️ Supreme rulers with ultimate authority

  Nobility ↔️ Advisers, administrators, military leaders
• What was one responsibility of the nobility in 16th-century Europe?

  Providing military service
• Nobility in 16th-century Europe enjoyed tax exemptions and land ownership.
• The 16th-century social structure was divided into three estates: the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commoners
• Match the estate with its primary privilege in 16th-century Europe:

  Clergy ↔️ Exempt from taxes

  Nobility ↔️ Land ownership

  Commoners ↔️ Engaged in trade and labor
• What event during the Reformation led to peasant uprisings against the nobility?

  Martin Luther's challenge
• Monarchies and nobility were central to the political landscape of 16th-century Europe