Trade and Towns 14.2

Objectives Identify which cities saw the initial growth of trade in the Middle Ages Analyze why those cities saw this growth Explain why cities grew during the Middle Ages Appraise daily life in the Middle Ages

Growth of Trade London as case study Crusades and Trade Controllers of Trade Italians Northern Europeans

Italian Trade Cities First in Europe to build thriving trade economy Sailors explore Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas Foreign goods and valuables Venice – Trading city Protection from the sea Trade with Byzantium, Muslim Lands Acquired goods from further East Silk, spices (China/India)

Italian Trade Cities Goods arrived in Venice Loaded onto wagons and brought North Cost of goods Reasons for cost Creation of Trade Routes throughout Europe Why this creation of trade routes?

Trade Routes of Europe

Hanseatic League Italian dominance in Southern Trade Northern Trade Routes Hanseatic League Northern German cities and towns Promote/Protect Trade Region of Trade – Russia, Baltic Region, and Europe

Trade Fairs and Markets Getting goods to customers Trade fairs emerge Held in towns – drew large crowds Merchants willing to travel Trade amongst merchants Different parts of the economy Goods traded Fabrics, spices, animals, etc.

Trade Fairs and Markets Held 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 Credit Reemergence of money (not common) Payment for work was goods Cities made own coins Money became central to economic success Payments, taxes, etc. Emergence of Credit – promise of later payment Creation of European banks Jewish Banks

Technological Advances Technological advances Farm technology Heavy plow – increased number of goods on farms Water mill Windmill Farm-life to city-life

Free Towns Conducting trade Local lords controlled area Charters for new towns requested Merchants ran towns in exchange for taxes paid to king/lord of area Quick emergence of towns 1300: Paris and Rome populations 100,000 London and Florence populations 75,000

Guilds Craftspeople needed protection Organization into guilds Same occupation Restriction of competition Set standards and prices for products Mutual protection and quality control Training of future generations Apprentices Journeymen

Daily Life in Cities Small and crowded Narrow, winding streets Dark interiors of buildings Fire, crime rampant in cities Churches, meeting halls, markets Entertainment Great Wide World