History - Crime and Punishment - Early Modern - Social Changes

1500-1700:

Social Changes:

Population growth:

• Steady increase in population in 16th and 17th centuries
• Many people found it hard to find work, unemployment rose

Economic changes:

• England was becoming weathier + some people became richer
• Majority of people remained poor
• Poor were vulnerable to price rises after bad harvests
• A lack of trade could lead to unemployment and harship for many

Printing:

• Printing was invented in the 15th century
• More books, broadsheets and pamphlets…