western europe

• • europe was threatened by the Abbasid Caliphate spreading islam
• • in the eleventh century, pope urban II launched the crusades to regain christian control of the holy land
• • crusades failed but they helped reopen limited trade between europe and the muslim world
  • genoa and venice acting as intermediaries 
• • Genoa and Venice played crucial roles in connecting Mediterranean trade with Western Europe, extending their trade routes to Champagne (France) and Flanders (Belgium)
• • Champagne and Flanders hosted frequent fairs where products were safeguarded, and merchants had access to credit and currency exchange facilities
• • These fairs attracted merchants from across Europe, including England and Scandinavia, fostering increased production, particularly in wool textiles
• • The fairs encouraged the organization of merchants into companies, which improved European trade and finances, laying the groundwork for the future global economy