Which group represents the common people working and occupying land?

The peasantry refers to the class of people, historically, who are primarily involved in agricultural work and often occupy land that may be owned by feudal lords or other landowners. This group typically consists of rural laborers who farm the land and may have limited rights and resources compared to the landowning aristocracy.

In the context of British Columbia and its legal history, the peasantry concept can be seen as reflective of the working class or those engaged in labor-intensive occupations on the land. They play a crucial role in the economy and society but often have less power and fewer privileges than the upper classes, which can be associated with the feudal system in other historical contexts.

The other options do not accurately capture this specific designation. Feudal lords represent the landowning aristocracy that exercises power over the land and its tenants. The middle class, while significant in economic and social development, does not primarily encompass those who work directly on the land in agricultural contexts. Tenants could refer to people who rent or lease land, but not necessarily those engaged in the traditional agricultural role that defines the peasantry. Thus, the term peasantry accurately encapsulates the group described in the question as representing the common people working