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effects of the crusades
increased trade and economy- • during the wars many crusaders awed the exotic goods they found in the middle east • after returning home people saw these goods and merchants and traders traveled to Middle east and traded for the goods, some being silk, spices, sugar, art, literature • with all this trade many port cities were being established all throughout Europe. • these merchants and traders then became very wealthy and Europe’s economy then began to shift from a barter economy to a money economy, now that many people were becoming wealthy. • because there were many different types of money moneychangers were needed thus the institution of the bank appeared • with this money economy the middle class grew to power and Europe’s economy flourished • as the economy flourished food produce increased greatly and the population grew • as the population grew the demand for homes and shelter increased • thus man new cities and towns were built
Decline of Feudalism- • however, this money economy also indirectly hurt feudalism • because many Kings and Queens were spending a lot of money on parties and war materials they began to plunge into debt. • know that Europe’s economy was increasing the surfs had more money and in order to pay off their debts king allowed their surfs to be free • as people began to be free they no longer needed the support of kings and other people • in addition the rise of towns and guilds greatly hurt feudalism as well • people no longer needed the land of a lord to b given to them because they could buy their own land • Kings began to hire soldiers and build armies so they no longer needed knights • society then became more stable and safe because people didn’t rely on each other. • which eventually led to the successful period in European history known as the Renaissance
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