Why was it that more lower-class young men were assigned as ground troops, instead of the more affluent and educated
youth?

answer; i believe the answer is (mesopotamia); modern day

they remained in rural areas and worked at jobs such as lumbering or farming.

during the ming dynasty

the correct answer option is: weapons.

explanation:

tensions rose as the two opposing superpowers competed for 'weapons'.

referring to the cold war (1945-1991), the two superpowers, usa and ussr, experienced a phase of struggle and conflict with each other. these two superpowers considered each other as a threat to their survival and thus opted for policies to strengthen their positions.

the two superpowers never went to war with each other directly but competed for weapons to preserve their positions.