THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES 1050 1300 Agricultural Revolution

THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES, 1050 -1300 Agricultural Revolution

TH 11 THE CENTURY EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION It helped make the High Middle Ages possible • Four factors that led to the Ag Revolution: • The end of the wave of raids that swept Europe during the 9 th and 10 th centuries • The clearing and cultivation of new land the spread of the three-field rotation system • Technological innovations like the heavy plow and the horse collar • And the use of wind and water mills for power

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION Effects of new technological advances: • Dramatic increase in the supply of food in western Europe • Revival of trade and the rebirth of towns (the medieval urban revolution) • Economic prosperity that led Medieval Europe to make numerous political, economic, social and intellectual advances

THE MEDIEVAL REVIVAL OF TRADE Two types of commercial activity after 1050: • Local: surplus grain and products from small industries in markets • Long distance: textiles, wine and luxury items • Trade expansion allowed new business partnerships, money economy, and a money changing or banking system.

THE MEDIEVAL URBAN REVOLUTION Urban life declined significantly after the fall of Rome. It revived during the 11 th century. • Why? Increased food supply, population growth and the revival and expansion of trade. • Where? Towns were founded where merchants gathered. • Impact: • Introduced a new class, the bourgeoisie, merchant and graft guilds developed.