Final answer:
The social structure of the early Middle Ages, known as feudalism, impacted peasants by placing them at the bottom of the hierarchy and tying them to the land. Their primary roles were to provide labor and produce for their lords in exchange for protection and a place to live.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social structure of the early Middle Ages, known as feudalism, had a significant impact on the lives of peasants. Peasants were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and were tied to the land they worked on as serfs. They had to provide labor and produce for their lords in exchange for protection and a place to live.
The primary roles of peasants within this hierarchy were to work the land, pay rent and taxes, and provide labor services to their lords. They were responsible for growing crops, tending to animals, and performing other agricultural tasks. Peasants had little social mobility and were bound to their position in society.
It's important to note that the social and economic system of feudalism eventually gave way to capitalism and the industrial era, leading to changes in the roles and status of peasants.
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