Final answer:
The shift from a way of life based on communal ownership of land to individual ownership signified a transition towards private property and capitalism, resulting in significant social and economic changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
This signified a shift from a way of life based on ownership of land to a system of private property and individual ownership. The evolution of society from communal ownership, prevalent in many indigenous cultures, to private ownership marked a fundamental change in the relationship between people and land. In native societies, the land was often seen as a communal resource for the group's benefit, with families or village leaders assigning land for use (usufruct rights) without the right to own or sell it. Europeans introduced the idea that the land could be owned by an individual, which led to establishing permanent structures, fields, and fences to delineate personal property. This different understanding of land use led to conflicts between native peoples and colonizers and was a key factor in the displacement of indigenous communities.
As societies progressed, economic systems evolved from agrarian to capitalist, emphasizing wealth, social mobility, and personal achievements. Workers now faced unemployment as economic control shifted from political elites to business elites. This transition also resulted in substantial changes to social structures and quality of life in urban settings, often characterized by poverty and overcrowding. However, it also opened the door to new levels of social mobility and the pursuit of personal success.