Economic Expansion Unit 6 Topic 1

Changes in Agriculture

• The population of Europe tripled between 1000 and 1300

• New technology

  • Iron plows

  • Padded collars - horses could [loew faster than oxen)

Crop rotation

• 3 - field system

  • 1 - fallow

  • 1 - grain

  • 1 - peas or beans

• Restored soil, added protein to diet

• Fallow → don't plant it (rest year)

Trade Routes

• To Constantinople, Middle East

  • Purchased silk, spices, jewelry

• Trade Fairs

  • Meeting of merchants from across Europe

  • Where trade routes met

• Hanseatic League

  • German cities worked together to get rid of pirates and protect trade

Cities

• Cities emerged out of major trade centers

• City Charter

  • Written document - rights and privileges of the town

  • Ability to choose own leaders

• City Life

  • Walked for protection

    • Overcrowded and dirty

Changes in Business

• Rise of banking

  • Credit and bills of exchange (could travel without large sums of money and take it out on arrival)

• Partnerships - people worked together to reduce risk

• Insurance system

  • Protected shipments of goods

Rise of the Middle Class

• Merchants and tradesman

  • Between nobles and peasants

  • Families sent children out as guilds

• Guilds

  • Associations of merchants 

    • Political, economic, and social aspects

  • Steps to Guild Membership

    • Apprentice (Ages 7 - 8 years old) to learn trade

    • Journeymen - worked for guild members

  • Women also involved in guilds and trades