Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations Class 11 – Concept, MCQs & Notes PDF

Topic covered: Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations class 11 notes and MCQs questions: The Three Orders (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 11th about “Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations“ from the NCERT history notes for class 11th chapter 4 “The Three Orders”.

Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 4 The Three Orders Notes PDF

Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 4 The Three Orders Notes PDF for a detailed and easy-to-understand explanation of medieval European society. These notes begin with an introduction to feudalism and explain how the feudal system developed in France and England. You will clearly understand the three orders of society, focusing on the second order, the nobility, their privileges, duties, and life on the manorial estate, including the role of knights in feudal warfare.

The chapter also explains the first order, the clergy, covering monks, the Church, and its deep influence on social life, education, and moral values. Equal attention is given to the third order, peasants, both free and unfree, with specific references to England and their everyday struggles. In addition, the notes discuss factors affecting social and economic relations, the emergence of a possible fourth order with new towns, townspeople, and cathedral towns, and the major crisis of the fourteenth century, marked by social unrest and political changes. These NCERT-based notes are ideal for concept clarity, revision, and exam preparation.

Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations

1. Perception of the Feudal Social Order:

• Members of the first two orders viewed the social system as stable and unchanging.

2. Forces of Change in Feudal Society:

• Despite this belief, several processes were transforming the system.

3. Gradual Changes:

• Environmental changes occurred slowly.
• These changes were gradual and almost imperceptible.

4. Dramatic Changes:

• Some transformations were more dramatic.
• These included changes in agricultural technology and land use.

5. Impact on Social and Economic Relations:

• Changes in agriculture and land use shaped social and economic ties.
• They also affected relationships between lords and vassals.

6. Nature of the Transformation:

• The processes of change were interconnected.
• They both influenced and were influenced by feudal relationships.

The Environment

1. Extent of Forests (5th–10th Centuries):

• Most of Europe was covered with vast forests.
• Land available for agriculture was limited.

2. Peasants and Forest Refuge:

• Dissatisfied peasants could flee from oppression.
• Forests provided refuge from harsh conditions.

3. Cold Climatic Phase:

• Europe experienced an intensely cold climatic spell.
• Winters were severe and prolonged.

4. Impact on Agriculture during Cold Phase:

• Growing season for crops was shortened.
• Agricultural yields were reduced.

5. Climatic Change from the Eleventh Century:

• Europe entered a warm phase.
• Average temperatures increased.

6. Agricultural Benefits of Warming:

• Peasants enjoyed a longer growing season.
• Soil was less affected by frost.
• Land could be more easily ploughed.

7. Receding of Forests:

• Environmental historians noted a significant receding of forest lines.
• This occurred in many parts of Europe.

8. Expansion of Cultivation:

• Receding forests made expansion of cultivated land possible.

Land Use

1. Primitive Agricultural Technology:

• Agricultural technology was very primitive.
• The only mechanical aid was a wooden plough.
• The plough was drawn by oxen.

2. Limitations of the Wooden Plough:

• It could only scratch the surface of the earth.
• It failed to draw out the soil’s natural productivity.

3. Labour-Intensive Farming:

• Agriculture was highly labour intensive.
• Fields had to be dug by hand.
• Digging was done once every four years.
• Farming required enormous manual labour.

4. Ineffective Crop Rotation System:

• An inefficient crop rotation was followed.
• Land was divided into two halves.
• One field was planted with winter wheat in autumn.
• The other field was left fallow.
• Next year, rye was planted on the fallow field.
• The first field was then left fallow.

5. Decline of Soil Fertility:

• The rotation system led to slow deterioration of soil.
• Famines were not uncommon.

6. Impact on Living Conditions:

• Chronic malnutrition alternated with famines.
• Life was difficult for the poor.

7. Lords’ Response to Low Output:

• Lords were keen to maximise income.
• Increasing output from land was not possible.
• Peasants were forced to cultivate all land in the manor.
• Peasants worked more than legally required.

8. Peasant Resistance:

• Peasants did not accept oppression quietly.
• Open protest was not possible.
• They adopted passive resistance.

9. Forms of Passive Resistance:

• Peasants spent more time on their own fields.
• They kept more produce for themselves.
• They avoided unpaid extra services.

10. Conflict over Common Resources:

• Disputes arose over pasture and forest lands.
• Peasants viewed these as community resources.
• Lords treated them as private property.

New Agricultural Technology

1. Improved Agricultural Tools:

• Wooden ploughs were replaced by heavy iron-tipped ploughs
• Mould-boards helped turn topsoil properly
• Deeper ploughing led to better use of soil nutrients

2. Better Use of Animal Power:

• Neck-harness was replaced by shoulder-harness
• Animals could exert greater pulling power
• Horses were fitted with iron horseshoes
• Horseshoes prevented foot decay

3. Use of Wind and Water Energy:

• Increased use of wind and water power
• Water-powered and wind-powered mills spread across Europe
• Mills were used for:
  • Milling corn
  • Pressing grapes

Changes in Land Use

1. Introduction of the Three-Field System:

• Shift from two-field system to three-field system
• Land divided into three fields
• Fields were rotated every year

2. Cropping Pattern:

• First field (Autumn): Wheat or rye for human consumption
• Second field (Spring):
  • Peas, beans, lentils for humans
  • Oats and barley for horses
• Third field: Left fallow

Increase in Agricultural Production

1. Rise in Food Output:

• Immediate increase in food production
• Food availability doubled
• More output from each unit of land

2. Dietary Improvements:

• Greater use of peas and beans
• Increase in vegetable proteins in diet
• Better fodder for animals

Impact on Peasants

1. Changes in Farm Size:

• Average peasant farm reduced from 100 acres to 20–30 acres
• Smaller holdings were more efficiently cultivated

2. Reduction in Labour:

• Less land meant less labour required
• Peasants gained time for other activities

Role of Lords and Peasants

1. Investment by Lords:

• Windmills and watermills were expensive
• Peasants lacked money to set them up
• Lords took the initiative in building mills

2. Initiative by Peasants:

• Extended arable land
• Adopted three-field crop rotation
• Set up small forges and smithies
• Produced and repaired:
  • Iron-tipped ploughs
  • Horseshoes

Decline of Feudal Bonds

1. Shift to Money-Based Economy:

• Personal bonds of feudalism began to weaken
• Economic transactions became money-based

2. Changes in Rent and Trade:

• Lords demanded cash rent instead of services
• Cultivators sold crops for money
• Traders sold goods in towns

Rise in Agricultural Prices

1. Effect of Money Economy:

• Prices influenced by money circulation
• Prices rose during poor harvests

2. Example from England:

• Agricultural prices doubled between the 1270s and 1320s

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 11 Chapter 4: The Three Orders

MCQs on NCERT History Class 11 Chapter 4 Topic – Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations Class 11

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Factors Affecting Social and Economic Relations Class 11” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Members of which orders believed the social system was stable and unchanging?

A. Second and third orders
B. First and second orders
C. Third and fourth orders
D. Only the nobility

Answer: B

Question 2. Which factor brought dramatic changes to the social system?

A. Religion
B. Art and culture
C. Agricultural technology and land use
D. Warfare

Answer: C

Question 3. Changes in environment were described as:

A. Sudden and violent
B. Rapid and destructive
C. Gradual and almost imperceptible
D. Completely absent

Answer: C

Question 4. Changes in agriculture affected relations between:

A. Kings and clergy
B. Merchants and traders
C. Lords and vassals
D. Farmers and artisans

Answer: C

Question 5. From the fifth to the tenth centuries, most of Europe was covered with:

A. Grasslands
B. Deserts
C. Vast forests
D. Marshes

Answer: C

Question 6. Extensive forests resulted in:

A. Increased trade
B. Limited land for agriculture
C. Better crop yield
D. Growth of towns

Answer: B

Question 7. Peasants escaped oppression mainly by taking refuge in:

A. Towns
B. Monasteries
C. Forests
D. Castles

Answer: C

Question 8. Europe experienced which type of climate between the fifth and tenth centuries?

A. Warm and humid
B. Moderate
C. Intensely cold
D. Dry and hot

Answer: C

Question 9. Cold climate led to:

A. Longer growing seasons
B. Shortened growing seasons
C. Increased productivity
D. Multiple harvests

Answer: B

Question 10. Reduced agricultural yields were mainly due to:

A. Poor seeds
B. Lack of labour
C. Severe winters
D. Over-cultivation

Answer: C

Question 11. Europe entered a warm phase from which century?

A. Ninth
B. Tenth
C. Eleventh
D. Thirteenth

Answer: C

Question 12. Increased temperatures had what effect on agriculture?

A. Negative effect
B. No effect
C. Profound positive effect
D. Destroyed crops

Answer: C

Question 13. Warmer climate allowed soil to be:

A. More frozen
B. Less fertile
C. Easily ploughed
D. Permanently fallow

Answer: C

Question 14. Receding forest line made possible:

A. Rise of towns
B. Expansion of cultivated land
C. Growth of trade
D. Spread of Christianity

Answer: B

Question 15. Early agricultural technology was described as:

A. Advanced
B. Mechanised
C. Primitive
D. Scientific

Answer: C

Question 16. The main farming tool used by peasants was:

A. Iron plough
B. Wooden plough
C. Steel harrow
D. Hoe

Answer: B

Question 17. The wooden plough was inefficient because it:

A. Broke the soil deeply
B. Scratched only the surface
C. Needed horses
D. Destroyed nutrients

Answer: B

Question 18. Early agriculture required heavy labour because:

A. Tools were expensive
B. Fields were large
C. Land had to be dug by hand
D. Labour was scarce

Answer: C

Question 19. Fields were usually dug by hand once in:

A. Two years
B. Three years
C. Four years
D. Five years

Answer: C

Question 20. The early crop rotation system divided land into:

A. Three parts
B. Four parts
C. Two parts
D. Five parts

Answer: C

Question 21. In the two-field system, one field was left:

A. Flooded
B. Irrigated
C. Fallow
D. Forested

Answer: C

Question 22. Ineffective crop rotation resulted in:

A. Improved soil fertility
B. Frequent famines
C. Higher yields
D. Surplus food

Answer: B

Question 23. Chronic malnutrition mainly affected:

A. Nobles
B. Clergy
C. Poor peasants
D. Merchants

Answer: C

Question 24. Lords tried to maximise income by:

A. Improving technology
B. Expanding trade
C. Forcing peasants to cultivate more land
D. Reducing taxes

Answer: C

Question 25. Peasants were made to work:

A. Less than legally required
B. Only on their land
C. More than legally bound
D. For wages

Answer: C

Question 26. Peasant resistance was mainly:

A. Violent
B. Open rebellion
C. Passive
D. Military

Answer: C

Question 27. Peasants showed resistance by:

A. Destroying crops
B. Migrating abroad
C. Avoiding unpaid services
D. Attacking lords

Answer: C

Question 28. Conflict arose between peasants and lords over:

A. Taxes
B. Church lands
C. Pasture and forest lands
D. Markets

Answer: C

Question 29. Peasants viewed common lands as resources for:

A. Lords only
B. Kings
C. Whole community
D. Church

Answer: C

Question 30. Heavy iron-tipped ploughs were introduced by the:

A. Ninth century
B. Tenth century
C. Eleventh century
D. Thirteenth century

Answer: C

Question 31. Mould-boards helped by:

A. Cutting crops
B. Turning topsoil properly
C. Harvesting grain
D. Watering fields

Answer: B

Question 32. Shoulder-harness replaced the neck-harness because it:

A. Was cheaper
B. Reduced animal power
C. Allowed animals to exert more power
D. Needed fewer animals

Answer: C

Question 33. Iron horseshoes prevented:

A. Overworking
B. Hunger
C. Foot decay in horses
D. Disease in crops

Answer: C

Question 34. Wind and water energy were mainly used for:

A. Transport
B. Defence
C. Milling corn and pressing grapes
D. Irrigation

Answer: C

Question 35. The most revolutionary change in land use was the shift to:

A. Single-field system
B. Two-field system
C. Three-field system
D. Plantation farming

Answer: C

Question 36. In the three-field system, one field was always left:

A. Flooded
B. Cultivated
C. Fallow
D. Forested

Answer: C

Question 37. The three-field system resulted in:

A. Reduced food production
B. Food availability doubling
C. Soil exhaustion
D. Labour shortage

Answer: B

Question 38. Peas and beans increased:

A. Animal fat
B. Vegetable protein in diet
C. Grain consumption
D. Meat supply

Answer: B

Question 39. Average peasant landholding by the thirteenth century was about:

A. 100 acres
B. 70 acres
C. 20–30 acres
D. 10 acres

Answer: C

Question 40. Smaller holdings were beneficial because they:

A. Reduced trade
B. Needed more labour
C. Were easier to cultivate
D. Reduced yields

Answer: C

Question 41. Expensive technologies like mills were mainly set up by:

A. Peasants
B. Traders
C. Lords
D. Guilds

Answer: C

Question 42. Personal bonds of feudalism weakened mainly due to:

A. Wars
B. Religion
C. Money-based transactions
D. Climate change

Answer: C

Question 43. Lords increasingly demanded rent in:

A. Labour
B. Crops
C. Cash
D. Animals

Answer: C

Question 44. Cultivators sold crops to traders instead of:

A. Exporting them
B. Exchanging goods
C. Storing them
D. Donating them

Answer: B

Question 45. In England, agricultural prices doubled between:

A. 1200–1250
B. 1250–1270
C. 1270s–1320s
D. 1300–1350

Answer: C