Final answer:
Agrarian capitalism, particularly evident by the 16th century, was a transformative force in European society, where wealth was invested in agriculture leading to increased specialization, commercial activity, and a significant agricultural revolution that improved efficiency and production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emergence of agrarian capitalism was a pivotal development in European history, particularly by the 16th century. Although the continent had been predominantly feudal, with a society structured around manorialism and peasant labor, significant changes were occurring. Capitalism, championed by intellectuals like Adam Smith, suggested that wealth could be invested to propel economic, social, and technological advancement. The Agrarian Revolution brought about enhanced crop production, leading to surplus populations that flocked to cities to partake in artisanal activities and commerce.
European society, especially in the 16th century, experienced a shift where specialization in trades became more pronounced. Individuals no longer just produced for their immediate family or local community but for a broader market, with craftspeople like weavers working in districts for generations. This period saw an intensification of particular trades, like blacksmithing, that began focusing on products for the mass market.
Land reform and changes in agricultural practices significantly impacted food production and land ownership. Tools like better plows and seeders, as well as the introduction of new harvesting technologies, transformed agriculture from labor-intensive methods to more efficient production systems. This escalation of food output and the prosperity it brought led to a population increase, with roughly 90 percent of Europeans living in rural areas, although encompassed by burgeoning capitalist practices.