1. Section 4 Economic Recovery Sparks Change

2. An Agricultural Revolution
Technology improves farming
Iron plow
New kind of harness built for horses(faster)
Production and population grow
Peasants > rotation of crops > three field system
Produced more food > population almost tripled

3. The Revival of Trade and Travel
1100s warfare and invasions declined
Trade routes expand
Europe enjoying trade with Middle East and Asia
Merchant companies form
Small centers of trade become 1st medieval cities
Merchants settle in cities during the winter
Merchants made charters with local lords or kings to protect their interests

4. A Commercial Revolution
Capital being established > also start to see credit
The beginnings of modern business
Merchants grouped together in partnerships
Developed a system of insurance to reduce risks
Society begins to change
Business practices reshape economy and society
Christians forbidden to lend money > Jews became moneylenders > successful > led to resentment
The Rise of the Middle Class
Merchants, traders, and artisans formed new class
The Role of Guilds
Guilds? Formed by who?
Each Guild represented an occupation
Becoming a guild member
Apprentice > Journeyman > Guild Master

5. Town and City Life
Towns became filthy, smelly, noisy, and crowded > lead to disease