Middle Ages Regents Practice

The terms masters, apprentices, and journeymen are most closely associated with which system?

1. Encomienda system of Latin America

2. Guild system of Europe in the Middle Ages

3. Civil service system of China during the Tang dynasty

4. Caste system of India

The correct answer is: Guild system of Europe in the Middle Ages

The terms masters, apprentices, and journeymen are closely associated with the guild system of Europe during the Middle Ages. This structure was essential for the organization of skilled trades and crafts in medieval society. In this system, a master was an experienced and skilled practitioner who owned and operated a workshop or business. Apprentices were young individuals who worked under the tutelage of a master to learn a trade, often starting at a very young age and undergoing training for several years. Journeymen were those who had completed their apprenticeship but had not yet become masters; they worked for wages while continuing to gain experience and skill in their craft. The guild system not only regulated trade practices but also provided training and set standards for quality and practice within various professions. This structure facilitated economic stability and social organization, contributing significantly to urban growth and the economy in medieval Europe.