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History
1. THE EARLY MODERN AGE
1.1. Economic transformation
From the mid-fifteenth century onwards, following the economic crisis and catastrophes
that occurred at the end of the Middle Ages, European societies began to experience a
recovery. This was reflected in the following:
❚
Increased agricultural production
: in this period there was an increase in the amount
of land under cultivation. However, there were no technological advances at this time
and the
three-field system
was maintained. This system consisted of dividing the area
of cultivated land into three sections and rotating the crops each year. One section was
left
fallow
(uncultivated) for the land to rest and recover the nutrients. The main crops
were
cereals
. Agriculture and livestock farming continued to be the main source of
economic activity. As a result, societies at this time were very vulnerable: during the
years of bad crops, hunger and disease reappeared.
❚
Intensified commercial activity
:
the increase in agricultural production resulted in a
surplus
in production, that is, an excess of food produced. The surplus products were
sold in the
city markets
. Merchants or traders travelled in search of new markets,
establishing
trade routes
over land and sea that connected distant places.
❚
The expansion of craftsmanship
: products were made in workshops, which were
controlled by associations of craftsmen called
guilds
.
To meet growing demand, products
were also made in people’s homes and
the
domestic system
was created.
Merchants provided the families with
the tools and raw materials to make
the products.
❚
Due to the voyages of exploration
to new lands,
new products
were
brought to Europe.
These included
precious metals, foods and spices.
❚
The development of mercantile
capitalism
:
an economic system in
which capital (money, raw materials,
tools, workshops…) belonged to
private owners, generally members
of the bourgeoisie (middle class), that
created trading companies to generate
profits.
The
Early Modern Age
began in 1453 with the
Fall of Constantinople
and ended
with the
French Revolution
in 1789. Before both of these dates, many important
social, economic, political and cultural changes were already taking place that signal
the end of an era.
Traders’ stalls in a medieval city. Illustration from a French manuscript from the 15th century
15
TH
CENTURY
Renaissance and Age of Discovery
1400 A.D.
15
Self-Portrait,
Alberto Durero (detail)
