The document summarizes developments in medieval Europe, including increased trade, growth of cities, and rise of a middle class. New farming technologies led to population growth, revitalizing trade between Europe and Asia/Middle East. Cities in Flanders and Italy prospered as centers of trade. A middle class of merchants and artisans emerged, organized into guilds that controlled local economies and politics.

1. Ch. 7, sec. 4

2. Agricultural Revolution
 New farming
technologies
 Use of iron
 Crop rotation
 More food
 Population growth

3. Revival of Trade and Travel
 Increased trade
with Middle East
and Asia (See map
of trade routes-p.
46)
 Trade Fairs
 Big cities in
Flanders (north)
and Italy (south)
 Needed a charter
from the king

4. Growth in Business
 Credit- idea borrowed
from Muslim merchants
 Investments
 Partnerships
 Insurance
 Serfs became tenant
farmers- paid rent

5. The Church in Business
 The Church forbade
Christians from lending
money and collecting
interest
 Jews became
moneylenders
 Very successful
 Profitable
 Resentment and
prejudice toward Jews

6. Rise of Middle Class
 Merchants, traders,
artisans
 Despised by nobles
and clergy
 Guilds
 Associations based on
job
 Made big decisions on
town life

7. Becoming a guild member
 Apprentice
 Children in
training
 7 years
 Journeymen
 Paid employees
 Guild Masters

8. Town and
City Life
 Town surrounded by high walls
 Limited space within the wall
 Building grew taller to fit more people
 Neighborhoods separated by occupation
 Dark, filthy, crowded