Arts and Humanities Commons^™

1. The Revival Of Commerce, Robert L. Bloom, Basil L. Crapster, Harold A. Dunkelberger, Charles H. Glatfelter, Richard T. Mara, Norman E. Richardson, W. Richard Schubart

Section V: The Rise of Capitalism and the National State to 1500

Throughout the Middle Ages, and indeed until quite recent times, Europe's economy was primarily agrarian. From the eleventh century onward however, commerce followed by manufacturing and urbanization, became increasingly characteristic of Western Europe's society. But the old made way for the new so slowly that the shift may be clearly discerned only through the lengthened perspective of the years. [excerpt]