Trade and Towns14.2

ObjectivesIdentify which cities saw the initial growth of

trade in the Middle AgesAnalyze why those cities saw this growth

Explain why cities grew during the Middle Ages

Appraise daily life in the Middle Ages

Growth of TradeLondon as case study

Crusades and Trade

Controllers of Trade ItaliansNorthern Europeans

Italian Trade CitiesFirst in Europe to build thriving trade economy

Sailors explore Mediterranean and Adriatic SeasForeign goods and valuables

Venice – Trading cityProtection from the sea

Trade with Byzantium, Muslim LandsAcquired goods from further EastSilk, spices (China/India)

Italian Trade CitiesGoods arrived in Venice

Loaded onto wagons and brought North

Cost of goodsReasons for cost

Creation of Trade Routes throughout Europe

Why this creation of trade routes?

Trade Routes of Europe

Hanseatic LeagueItalian dominance in Southern Trade

Northern Trade RoutesHanseatic LeagueNorthern German cities and towns

Promote/Protect Trade

Region of Trade – Russia, Baltic Region, and Europe

Trade Fairs and MarketsGetting goods to customers

Trade fairs emerge

Held in towns – drew large crowdsMerchants willing to travel

Trade amongst merchantsDifferent parts of the economy

Goods tradedFabrics, spices, animals, etc.

Trade Fairs and MarketsHeld once a year (in different cities)

Could last multiple months

Provided flexibility for merchants to travel

Fairs for the merchant class

Markets for the average person

Trade Fairs

Money and CreditReemergence of money (not common)

Payment for work was goods

Cities made own coins

Money became central to economic successPayments, taxes, etc.

Emergence of Credit – promise of later payment

Creation of European banks Jewish Banks

Technological AdvancesTechnological advances

Farm technologyHeavy plow – increased number of goods on farmsWater millWindmillFarm-life to city-life

Free TownsConducting trade

Local lords controlled area

Charters for new towns requestedMerchants ran towns in exchange for taxes paid to

king/lord of area

Quick emergence of towns

1300:Paris and Rome populations 100,000London and Florence populations 75,000

GuildsCraftspeople needed protection

Organization into guildsSame occupation

Restriction of competitionSet standards and prices for productsMutual protection and quality control

Training of future generationsApprentices Journeymen

Daily Life in CitiesSmall and crowded

Narrow, winding streets

Dark interiors of buildings

Fire, crime rampant in cities

Churches, meeting halls, markets

Entertainment

Great Wide World