Exploring Economics: From Feudalism to Capitalism

How did feudal economies give way to the capitalist systems we use today? This four-week course examines the key Enlightenment ideas, economic shifts, and social transformations that dismantled feudal structures and laid the foundation for modern capitalism. Students will explore the rise of individual rights, private property, and free markets—critical developments that reshaped economies from the 16th to 18th centuries. By analyzing historical events like the Enclosure Movement and the decline of guilds, students will see how economic power shifted from hereditary elites to individual decision-makers, paving the way for industrialization and global trade.

Designed for high school students, this course is also suitable for advanced middle school students interested in deepening their understanding of historical economic transitions. Prior completion of Exploring Economics: The Origins of Trade is recommended but not required.

Course Structure:
Each week, students will engage with interactive lessons and historical analysis to understand the transition from feudalism to capitalism.

Week 1: PowerPoint Lecture on feudal economies, hereditary social structures, and the rise of Enlightenment economic thought.

Week 2: Flipped Classroom discussion where students analyze key concepts and practice forming well-supported responses.

Week 3: Examination of the Enclosure Movement, early banking, and the shift toward private enterprise, followed by hands-on practice writing Short Answer Questions (SAQs).

Week 4: Interactive Kahoot quiz to reinforce key ideas, followed by a discussion of how these economic changes influenced modern systems.

By the end of this course, students will understand how economic and philosophical shifts led to the decline of feudalism and the emergence of capitalism, developing critical thinking skills to analyze historical economic transformations.