La consolidación del capitalismo comercial - Documental

Summary

The script explores the economic shifts in medieval Europe, starting from the 10th century, highlighting the agricultural boom and the rise of a permanent surplus in grain production. This led to the commercialization of goods and the enrichment of feudal lords through trade of luxury items like spices and silks. The emergence of merchants and artisans, the weakening of guilds, and the influence of capitalism are discussed. It delves into the mercantilist policies, emphasizing the importance of national industry and trade balance, and the strategies adopted by European states to accumulate wealth and power, including the establishment of colonies and navigation laws.

Takeaways

• 🌾 From the 10th century, agricultural advancements in Europe led to increased cereal production, creating a permanent surplus that was commercialized in the market.
• 💰 The surplus allowed feudal lords to amass wealth and purchase luxury goods from the East, enriching them further.
• 🛍️ Medieval merchants, who were travelers, brought a variety of products, including spices like saffron and cloves, and began to earn significant profits from resale.
• 🏭 The emergence of large commercial companies and the rise of commercial capitalists marked the beginning of a new social class, the bourgeoisie.
• 🔨 Artisans started to receive orders from merchants, and guilds began to weaken as rural labor was incorporated into industrial production.
• 👨‍🌾 The farmer, a descendant of the feudal system, was able to cultivate larger areas due to modest technical advances, generating a permanent surplus.
• 🛍️ The transformation of trade into the most dynamic economic activity in Europe benefited merchants, who gained significant profits from buying in distant lands and reselling in feudal territories.
• 💎 The Spanish metallism, where the prosperity of a state was measured in gold and silver, and the focus on external trade and piracy by other European states, highlighted the importance of precious metals.
• 🏺 France began to encourage the local production of luxury goods like crystal and porcelain, reducing the outflow of precious metals and increasing wealth through the sale of high-priced finished goods.
• 🚢 The Navigation Acts in England stipulated that all goods must be transported by English ships, reflecting the mercantilist approach to control trade and protect domestic industries.
• 📊 Mercantilists analyzed the balance of trade, which is the difference between a country's exports and imports, advocating for a positive balance to enrich the kingdom.
• 🛡️ Protectionism, the defense and regulation of national production, aimed to reduce imports by substituting them with domestically produced goods or by imposing tariffs on imported goods.

Q & A

What significant changes in agricultural production techniques occurred in Europe from the 10th century?

From the 10th century, agricultural production in Europe saw advancements in techniques and the incorporation of new lands, leading to an increase in cereal production and the generation of a permanent surplus.

How did the growth in cereal production impact the economy during the medieval period?

The growth in cereal production led to the creation of a permanent surplus, which began to be commercialized in the market. This allowed feudal lords to enrich themselves and purchase luxury goods from the East, such as spices and silks.

Who were the merchants of the Middle Ages and what role did they play in the economy?

The merchants of the Middle Ages were travelers who brought a variety of products, taking on daring journeys in search of spices. They began to gain significant profit margins through resale, leading to the emergence of large commercial companies and the rise of a new social class, the bourgeoisie.

How did the incorporation of rural labor into industrial production affect the guilds and artisans?

The incorporation of rural labor weakened the guilds, as they were no longer able to regulate the activities of artisans. Artisans began to receive orders from merchants, leading to a shift in production dynamics and a decrease in the power of the guilds.