Final answer:
In Early Modern Europe, a new class of non-noble elites, the merchant class, ascended to prominence. This phenomenon was driven by the decline of feudalism, the Industrial Revolution, and Enlightenment ideals. The merchants, often originating from the middle class, built their wealth and status on trade and commerce, marking a transformative shift in societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The new class of non-noble elites that rose to prominence in Early Modern Europe, particularly in England and the Netherlands, was the merchant class. This shift in socioeconomic structure was due to factors such as the decline of feudalism, the rise of the Industrial Revolution, and cultural developments by the Enlightenment. The merchant class, composed of individuals who often started in non-elite roles such as artisans or clerks, distinguished themselves through trade and commercial initiatives, creating wealth not based on lineage but on economic savvy and entrepreneurial success.
The advent of the Industrial Revolution further fostered the rise of this new economic elite, as commoners had more opportunities to increase their wealth through new jobs, thereby leading to a blurring of traditional class distinctions. Additionally, the Enlightenment, with its emphasis on natural rights and the autonomy of the individual, facilitated societal and political shifts that favored the rise of the merchant class, including a questioning of traditional noble privilege.
These changes resulted in a new culture that valued hard work and education, marking the rise of the middle class. This class functioned as a bridge between the traditionally noble elite and the lower working class, and their rising status represented a significant socioeconomic development in Early Modern Europe.
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