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In the 14th century, the economic disparities between the rich and poor within any single country were far more significant than the average wealth differences observed between various global regions. While some areas like Italy were more prosperous on average than others, these regional variations were overshadowed by the vast internal gaps between social classes. This structure meant an individual's economic fate was determined more by their social standing and family background than by their country of birth.

Global Inequality in the 14th Century: The Primacy of Class Over Location

In the 14th century, an individual's economic prospects were primarily shaped by two key factors: their parents' position on the economic ladder and their gender. Unlike the modern era, the specific region or country of one's birth played a much less significant role in determining their potential for wealth.

Determinants of Individual Economic Prospects in the 14th Century

The vast economic differences between the wealthy and the poor in the 14th century were often reflected in formal social titles. These stratified relationships included feudal lords and their serfs, royalty and their subjects, owners and the people they enslaved, and merchants in contrast to the sailors who transported their goods.

Examples of 14th-Century Social Hierarchies

The term 'flat world' describes the economic landscape of the 14th century, where a person's country of birth had a minimal impact on their economic prospects compared to today. The primary determinants of wealth were internal social structures, such as class and family background, making the economic disparities *within* countries far more pronounced than the average differences *between* them.

The 'Flat World' of the 14th Century

A key distinction between the 14th century and the present day lies in the primary determinants of economic success. In the 14th century, an individual's prospects were overwhelmingly shaped by their parents' social status and their gender. In contrast, today, while those factors are still relevant, the country in which a person is born has become a much more significant factor in determining their economic outcome.

Determinants of Economic Prospects: 14th Century vs. Today

A historian makes the following claim about the 14th century: 'An individual's economic destiny was primarily determined by the average prosperity of the country they were born in.' Which of the following scenarios provides the strongest counter-argument to this claim?

Consider the two hypothetical individuals described in the case study below, both living in the 14th century. Based on the economic structure of that era, which individual likely had better economic prospects? Justify your answer by explaining the primary factors that determined wealth during this period.

Economic Prospects in the 14th Century

True or False: In the 14th century, a person born into a poor family in a relatively prosperous region like Italy would have had significantly better economic prospects than a person born into a poor family in a less prosperous region like Britain.

A historian describes the 14th-century world as economically 'flat,' arguing that where a person was born mattered far less for their economic future than who they were born to. Evaluate this statement. In your response, explain the primary sources of economic inequality during this period and contrast the significance of wealth differences *within* societies versus the differences *between* them.

The Nature of 14th-Century Global Inequality

Economists sometimes describe the 14th-century world as economically 'flat'. Explain what this metaphor means by contrasting the significance of an individual's geographic location with the significance of their social standing in determining their economic prospects during that era.

Explaining the 'Flat World' of the 14th Century

Match each 14th-century social role with the description that best reflects its position within an economic structure where inequality *within* a society was far more significant than the average differences in wealth *between* societies.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the primary driver of an individual's economic standing in the 14th century?

In the 14th century, a person's wealth was strongly determined by their social position, which was often designated by formal titles. These social and economic divisions were stark, exemplified by pairings such as feudal lords and serfs, royalty and their subjects, slave owners and the enslaved, or wealthy merchants and the sailors they employed.

Social Hierarchies and Wealth in the 14th Century

Consider the two individuals described below, both living in the 14th century. Analyze their situations to determine who likely possessed greater personal wealth and a higher economic standing. Justify your conclusion based on the primary driver of economic disparity during this historical period.

Class vs. Location in the 14th Century

An economic historian finds that in the 14th century, the average income in Region A was significantly higher than in Region B. Explain why this fact alone is insufficient to conclude that a poor farmer from Region A was better off than a member of the ruling class in Region B.

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