Agriculture, Labor, and Production

Guilds and Peasant Labor In Europe, guilds (cartels) began to form and controlled all trade and labor Controlled employment, prices, process of making goods, and controlled quality These select tradesmen determined prices, labor, and production in towns and areas, as well as were responsible for the first trade union (Hanseatic League) Peasant agriculture became the dominant form of agricultural production during the Middle Ages, and their labor was paid in taxes to their Lords Peasants stayed in family units, working for sustenance and limited profit (family units were the basis of the economy) Governments also began imposing more labor and land-based taxes and controls (corvee labor, Mit’a in Americas)

Labor and Trade Pastoral life continues throughout the Eurasian steppes for the last time, as Mongols and Turks thrive and successfully invade many permanent settlements Military obligations of peasants in China and Europe form the core of Western and Eastern militaries, and Mongols incorporate conquered tribes to their military Coerced labor became an essential part of certain empires, such as the Incans (Mit’a), Mongol’s conquered laborers, and corvee labor in Europe Increase in labor and agriculture also boosted production of luxury goods (porcelain & textiles) from India, China, and Persia Chinese iron and steel production expanded massively during their ‘Imperial Golden Age’

Agriculture A warm period in the 750-1100s and 1300s caused a massive increase in agricultural output and population, as well as several new farming methods spreading via trade routes Champa rice and chinampas were methods used in East Asia and the Americas The waru waru technique invented in Peru protected crops against extensive flooding and erosion Terracing was used throughout the world to make mountainsides arable land and increased food production The Horse Collar (800s/900s) was also invented, increasing transportation and animal labor

Use the Freemanpedia image on the various P-C Agriculture 