Ace the AMSCO AP European History Test 2026 – Journey Through Time and Score High!

The rise of consumerism in Europe during the 18th century can be closely linked to the expansion of the middle class. As the economy began to evolve with the growth of trade and production, particularly in urban areas, a new social class emerged that had the disposable income and leisure time to indulge in consumer goods. This was part of the broader economic transformation marked by increasing wealth among merchants, artisans, and professionals who were able to participate actively in the burgeoning market.

This economic trend coincided with changes such as the decline of feudal systems, which shifted more power and economic activity to urban centers. While industrial production was just beginning to take shape, consumerism was already influenced by trade and artisan production processes that catered to the desires of this emerging middle class. The establishment of colonial trade routes also facilitated access to a variety of goods, but it was the economic empowerment and cultural values of the middle class that fundamentally drove the desire for consumer products.

Thus, the expansion of the middle class stands out as a primary economic trend linked to the rise of consumerism, illustrating how social shifts in wealth and class structure influenced the broader economic landscape of 18th-century Europe.