Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. A. In the sixteenth century, the European economy moved toward a system of free-market pricing, new ways of production, and investments. B. Before the sixteenth century, European makers of handcrafts enjoyed stability, autonomy, and relative prosperity. C. By the sixteenth century, the rise of capitalism began to weaken the autonomy and relative prosperity of European artisans. D. European artisans operated small, autonomous businesses before modern capitalism emerged in the sixteenth century.