1. Agriculture, Labor, and Production

2. 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)

3. 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’

5. Agriculture
A warm period in the s 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

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