What were the effects of the increased trade between East and West, caused by the Crusades, on the economy of Western Europe? Ursula Cliff http://blog.sentrana.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/medieval-town-square1.jpg http://images-mediawiki-sites.thefullwiki.org/01/1/8/5/93515574230911109.jpg
How did the Crusades increase trade? Increased demand for ‘Oriental’ goods Increased number of Christian ports Increased trips across Mediterranean Trade routes during and after the Crusades faculty.washington.edu/.../197/othellores.html
Increased standard of living ‘Luxury goods’ Growth of middle class ‘...loaded with spices; gold and silver; cloaks of silk; arms and weapons of diverse forms; a large quantity of conserves and medicines; pepper, cinnamon, sugar, and wax; an immense sum of money, and an incalculable quantity of goods...’ (Account of the goods of a caravan travelling from Asia to Europe, and captured by the Crusaders in 1192) Making mulled wine, with cinnamon, sugar, and various other eastern spices http://www.ehow.com/how_4720740_blood-sugar-help-lose-weight.html
Growth of trading towns and cities Trading fairs Cities and towns along trading routes grew Ruins of a medieval city http://gossamerstrands.com/Hist100/100images/medieval_city_destroyed.jpg Fair scene in "Le chevalier errant" by Thomas de Saluce, ca 1403 - 1404 http://www.culture.gouv.fr/fr/arcnat/saint-denis/en/3_5_foires.htm
Currency and banking Barter economy money economy Knights Templars Unified trade across Europe Medieval coins found in Tripoli http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=1153&pos=0&sold=1 Medieval banking scene
Rise in power of Italian Maritime Republics Concessions gained allowed dominance Consequent wealth led to dominance in Europe Venetian trade ship http://library2.binghamton.edu/mt/international/archives/bu_campus_events/ Flags of the maritime republics www.apartmentinvenice.eu/en/info/events.html
Conclusion Increased standard of living New system of commerce and banking Increased standard of living Growth of trading towns and cities Dominance of Italian maritime republics