Trade and Cities: The Commercial Revolution Chapter 14, Section 2 1. How did trade change medieval life? 2. What was the center of trade? What products were produced there? 3. How did the way people trade change during this time?

I. Trade and Feudalism 1.When the Roman Empire collapsed in the west, almost all trade stopped. Money was no longer used and roads and other ways of traveling were dangerous or falling apart. By 1100, feudalism had made Europe safer. Nobles repaired roads and bridges, arrested criminals, and enforced the law. Trade resumed. 2. Towns grew larger with trade, since it brought in money. The Italian cities of Venice and Florence were the richest by These cities traded with the Byzantine Empire and others in the Mediterranean.

3. Flanders, however, was the center of trade for Europe. It was known for its wool cloth, wanted throughout Europe and Asia. Trade fairs began in Europe and products such as fur, tin, honey, sugar, and spices were in high demand. 4. People during the early Middle Ages bartered. As trade increased, the use of gold, silver, and other forms of money (coins) began to be used instead. Merchants set up trading companies and banks to manage the sale of goods and use of money. 5. This expansion of trade and business is called the Commercial Revolution.

II. City governments 1.Towns were often located on land owned by lords, which meant they were under their control. In exchange for paying taxes, the townspeople eventually earned the right to make their own laws and gain rights such as owning and selling property and not having to serve in the army. 2. Medieval towns created their own governments, but only males were considered citizens. Citizens would elect councils, judges, and lawmakers. Usually, only candidates from wealthy families gained these positions.

III. Life in the Cities 1. Medieval cities had narrow, winding streets with houses crammed together. Many had second and third stories that were built over the streets! 2. Candles and fireplaces were used for warmth, which often ended up causing many fires in the all-wooden houses. 3. Cities were often very dirty and smelly. There were no sewer systems, and people polluted the air and water by burning wood and coal, and dumping other wastes into rivers and streams. 4. Women had different lifestyles in the cities. They often worked in their husbands’ businesses, developed their own trade (cottage industries), or carried out master crafts when their husbands died. 5. Artisans worked together in guilds, an organization of people in the same business working to improve conditions for all. They had specific rules for conduct and the creation of products.