Economic Recovery Sparks Change 7 4 An Agriculture

Economic Recovery Sparks Change 7 -4

An Agriculture Revolution New plows & harnesses for horses n Clearing of more farmland n 3 -field planting system n n n Plant 2 crops (legumes & grains) Soil stays fertile longer Higher crop yields = population growth! Legumes Empty Grains

The Revival of Trade & Travel n n 1100 s attacks begin to go down Nobles desired new goods n n Asian spices, Chinese Silk, Byzantine Gold Trade Centers: Constantinople, Venice, Flanders (232) Merchants rest for winter = cities develop Charters est. towns (234) n n n Written from a king to groups of merchants Kings made $ - Peasants could buy freedom Allowed for new goods to be brought in

A Commercial Revolution Trade increased the need for capital ($) n Credit / Bills of Exchange n Business Partnerships and Insurance n More $ helped get rid of serfdom n n n People could pay rent for own land or work for $ Jews worked as $-lenders n Successful = growing resentment

The Rise of the Middle Class n Merchants / Artisans / Traders n n Disliked: n n n Below Nobility and Peasants Nobility – losing power Clergy – profits were immoral Guilds Formed (235) n n n Decided laws & taxes for towns One est. for each occupation Limit competition: set # of workers – set hours – set prices

The Rise of the Middle Class n Becoming Skilled n Apprentice n n n Journeymen n Age 7 until 14 Food & housing typically provided Next step after training Still work under Guild Master Women: learned the trade of husband/dad

Town & City Life Overcrowding was common n Buildings began to go UP! n Church still at center of town n FILTHY – NOISY – SMELLY = DISEASE n

Overall Impact Feudal System changing to Commercial n Power shift from Nobles to Merchants n