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
Sigh, I'm looking at this and feeling utterly melancholy about the situation of the people from the Crusades. Such grief struck them and yet they move on to become even better people. Wonderfully tragic.
