History Quiz: Middle Ages and Golden Ages

Economic History Lesson 7 Summary

• Industry in the Middle Ages:

  • Textiles were the dominant industry, with cloth production occurring in every European household. Specialization emerged in the 11th century, notably in Northern France and East Flanders, producing high-quality textiles.
  • Metallurgy was another key sector. Iron's availability facilitated the production of tools, weapons, and armor.

• Other Industries in the Middle Ages:

  • Leather production was substantial, used in clothing, furniture, and some industrial tools.
  • Woodworking was prevalent, producing both practical tools and decorative items.
  • Manors were crucial production centers in the early medieval period. Serfs produced clothes, iron tools, and wood items.

• Changes in Industrial Organization (10th-12th Centuries):

  • Industrial production shifted from manors to city centers.
  • Specialization increased, with different crafts undertaken by experts alongside a rise in the scale of production.
  • Periodical fairs and regular markets became established.

• Industrial Production Units (Pre-16th Century):

  • Despite advances, industrial production units remained small, far smaller than the scale of even small factories.
  • Inadequate investment capital limited industrial development.
  • Production methods remained heavily labor-intensive, with low labor productivity.

• The Guild System:

  • Guilds were medieval associations of merchants or artisans, maintaining standards and protecting member interests.
  • Guild membership was an important aspect of social status, facilitated by feudalism.
  • Guilds provided protections for customers and workers.
    • Restrictions on poor craftsmanship
    • Prohibited work at night, and advertising
    • Regulated prices

• Late Middle Ages Industry:

  • Production and demand for manufactured goods decreased significantly after a major epidemic.
  • Regulations for working conditions became more stringent.
  • Entering a profession became more difficult.

• Economic Changes in Late Middle Ages:

  • Real wages increased, due to labor-saving technologies.
  • Increased labor demand led to higher female participation in the workforce.
  • Especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, craft activities expanded from urban areas to rural regions.

• Rural Industries:

  • Textile industries were often located in rural areas, driven by the availability of water power and affordability of labour.
  • The cost of labor in rural areas was lower compared to urban areas.

• Putting-Out System:

  • A new form of industrial organization, primarily in 17th-century Western Europe.
  • Merchants provided materials to rural producers, who worked from their homes or sometimes in workshops.
  • Finished products were returned to the merchant for payment.

• Socio-Economic Structure in Asia, Africa, and the Americas (Pre-Modern Times):

  • Europe experienced a difficult period known as the Dark Ages, characterized by poverty, disease, and constant warfare.
  • Asia thrived during this period, with higher living standards in many civilizations.
  • Asia's population was significantly larger than Europe's.
  • Asia excelled in warfare, communications, and science, notably employing gunpowder and early printing technologies well before European innovations.
  • China, in particular, consistently maintained a high standard of living due to its avoidance of war, governmental upheavals, and internal strife.
  • The Islamic Golden Age (mid-7th to mid-13th centuries) saw significant contributions to agriculture, arts, economics, industry, law, literature, navigation, philosophy, sciences, sociology, and technology. The Islamic World had a large geographic reach spanning from Spain to India.
  • The Arabs developed advanced agricultural practices, which spread to regions they settled, including Southern Spain. -Trade was a crucial economic activity involving caravans and trading centers like bazaars. Muslim traders were pivotal in the trade between Asia and Europe.

• Medieval Asia & Technology:

  • Gunpowder, movable type printing were already established well before European contemporaries.

• China in the Middle Ages:

  • Viewed as having a superior standard of living to other leading countries.
  • Stability and avoidance of prolonged conflicts contributed to economic continuity.

• India in the Middle Ages:

  • Agriculture was dominant.
  • Rice was a primary product in regions receiving rain, while wheat, barley and corn were most important in arid zones.
  • Cotton weaving was a major economic activity, significantly impacting trade surpluses generated.

• India's Caste System:

  • A hierarchical social structure determined by birth.
  • Economic and social roles assigned to different castes.
  • Limitations on social interactions.

• Japan in the Middle Ages:

  • Economy and society shared similarities with China. Both faced land scarcity.

• African Economies:

  • Economic characteristics varied considerably across regions.
  • North Africa was wealthier compared to the south.
  • Agriculture and trade were dominant economic activities.
  • Wheat production was prevalent in rain-fed regions.

• Sub-Saharan Africa:

  • Land infertility reduced agricultural productivity.
  • Limited agricultural products, like bananas.
  • Trading and production was often organized in household settings.
  • Migration and animal husbandry were prominent activities in dry zones.

• America in the Pre-Modern Era:

  • Red Indians were the native population.
  • Central America, particularly, flourished due to fertile land.
  • Maize, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans were staples.
  • Metals were prevalent except for iron.
  • Trading locations were well-developed.

• Age of Discovery:

  • The 15th and 16th-century European voyages were a significant turning point.
  • New sea routes to eastern regions and discoveries of the Americas revolutionized world trade and exploration.
  • Maritime exploration advanced shipbuilding and navigational technology.
  • Economic motivations like seeking alternative trade routes due to Ottoman control over important trade routes.
  • The Renaissance spirit, scientific advancements, explorer zeal and the desire for new lands influenced discoveries. Marco Polo's travels also stirred interest in Eastern goods and lands.

• Portugal's Role:

  • Portugal spearheaded the early expeditions, primarily aiming to find new maritime routes to the east.
  • Exploration of the West Coast of Africa was a key part of Portugal's ventures.
  • Establishing trade centers in the newly mapped regions.
  • Navigator Henry the Navigator (1394-1460).
  • Bartolomeu Diaz made the first trip around the southern tip of Africa (1487).
  • Vasco da Gama successfully sailed to India (1498).

• Spain's Role:

  • Spain followed Portugal, seeking alternative routes to Asia.
  • Christopher Columbus' voyages in 1492 opened up the Americas.
  • Establishing trade and settlements.

• Magellan's Expedition:

  • The circumnavigation around the globe had a great impact on establishing the maritime trade routes between Europe and the Asian continent.
  • Magellan's crew, despite his demise, completed the first circumnavigation of the world and brought back knowledge on new trade routes.

• Other Discoveries:

  • Later explorations by other European powers, including France (Jacques Cartier).

• Impact of the Geographical Discoveries:

  • Enormous improvements in European trade and industry.
  • Increased the capacity of ships.
  • Joint-stock companies, banking became important.
  • Established trade hubs in different continents.
  • Led to colonialism and imperialism.
  • Slavery system was implemented.
  • Resulted in population movement and cultural exchange.

• Mercantilism:

  • A dominant economic system in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

  • Emphasized state intervention in the economy.

  • Mercantilist policies aimed to achieve a positive balance of trade (exports exceeding imports).

  • Promoted exports, and severely limited imports.

  • Aimed to accumulate precious metals (gold and silver).

  • Various European countries developed different versions of mercantilism.

  • Important factors:

  • Economic developments (e.g., trade expansion, rise of business):

  • Political factors (e.g., growing nationalism, rise of powerful kings):

  • Scientific factors (e.g., advances in navigation, maritime technology):

• Causes of Mercantilism:

  • Population increase led to changes.
  • Changes in the economic activities - shift from agriculture to industrial activities.
  • Advances in technology like improved maritime transportation made transoceanic trade possible.

• Features of Mercantilism:

  • Focus on accumulating gold and silver.
  • Encouragement of exports and restriction of imports.
  • Active role for government.

• Industrial Revolution:

  • A period of significant economic transformation from agrarian and craft economies to ones centered on industry and mass manufacturing.
  • It began in Britain in the 18th Century.

• Britain's Advantages:

  • Extensive textile industry.
  • Innovations like the flying shuttle, spinning jenny, etc. made textile production more efficient. Large overseas colonies provided a captive market.
  • Advances in iron helped support the growth of industrial activities.
  • Britain was a major maritime power with a global trading network.

• Results of the Industrial Revolution:

  • Rapid population growth.
  • Economic growth and higher standards of living in Western countries.
  • Shift in economic priorities away from agriculture and toward industry.
  • Significant migration from rural to urban areas.
  • Increased technological innovation.
  • Gradual move toward greater equality in income distribution.

Test your knowledge on the contrasts between the factory and putting-out systems, as well as the advancements during the Islamic Golden Age. Explore significant historical events and technological developments in Asia and Europe from the Middle Ages onward. This quiz covers key explorers and philosophies that shaped these eras.