Association of merchants of German cities. Trade in Northern Europe

The development of trade is the most important source of accumulation of primary capital by merchants and usurers to form a full-fledged money market. In the process of trade development and with the goal of simplifying the conduct of trade operations, various forms of uniting traders arose. The union of the merchants of German cities could be called differently, depending on the purpose with which this union was created. Such associations could pursue different goals.

Trade in Northern Europe

Northern Europe sold fish, furs, wood, beer, amber and other goods common in its territories. In the trade involved such states as the Principality of Polotsk, the northeastern lands of Russia, the Novgorod Republic, Rzeczpospolita, the kingdoms of Germany, Brabant, the northern territories of France and England, the countries of Scandinavia. The main trading operations took place at fairs. But strict feudal conditions did not facilitate the establishment of trade operations, and various taxes and exorbitant road fees significantly complicated foreign trade. Intensive market relations required the mechanisms of successful sales and reliable logistics, and therefore the associations that could fulfill these requirements. Special royal decrees allowed large merchants and associations of merchants to offer their goods on preferential terms. Gradually private trade was supplanted by various forms of association of merchants. Due to necessity, various trade associations, known to us under such names as the guild, the convoy, the Hansa, arose on the territories of Germany and other European settlements.

Guild

The guild was the association of merchants of German cities for joint professional interests. The large cities of Northern Europe consisted of several dozen guilds. Each of them had its own status, set prices for its products, and every medieval merchant had the right to protect his interests in the guild. Trading companies in their activities were guided by the charter, each of them was under the direction of his patron, had his own patron saint. The members of the guild had their representation in the city authorities to protect their own trading interests.

Convoy

The convoy is a temporary union of merchant unions to ensure the safety of goods transported by sea. Convoys were formed on the basis of a unit system. Each merchant contributed a certain amount for chartered vessels and security services.

Hansa

The union of merchants of German cities, or rather their many, soon began to create associations between different cities - not only Germany, but also its trading partners. By the middle of the 13th century, a trade and political union of merchants from northern European cities was emerging. In chronicles, he is known as the Little Hansa. This form of trade relations turned out to be unusually attractive, and by the beginning of the 15th century about 170 European cities were part of the Hanseatic League . What kind? The union of merchants of German cities had their representative offices in Gdansk, Riga, Lvov, Veliky Novgorod, and also created several branches to streamline trade relations. The leading city was Lubeck, who headed the Vendian Hansa, and later Hamburg. Until the beginning of the 17th century, the Vendian Hansa had the largest trade turnover in the whole of Northern Europe. The second most important was the Hansa of Paris.

Privileges of Hanseatic merchants

The association of merchants of German cities provided its participants with such a benefit that the traders aspired to become members of this union at all costs, despite rather large regular gatherings. Membership in the Hansa guaranteed that:

- the goods belonging to the Hanseatic merchant will not be confiscated for non-payment of duties or taxes, will not be taken away for debts to other private persons ;

- merchants had no right to arrest for crimes committed in other cities, it was also forbidden to partially or completely confiscate goods for military purposes;

- traders were not responsible for the actions of partners; Each of them was personally responsible for the quality and delivery of the goods, and each had the right to a fair price;

- the property of the deceased merchant was transferred to his executors; The authorities had no right to take away the goods and other property of the deceased merchant;

- members of the Hanseatic unions used the protectorate of local authorities, for them some taxes and customs duties were abolished;

- members of the Hanseatic League had the right to protection from violence and looting from feudal lords, pirates and local authorities.

Thus, the Hanseatic League stimulated the development of trade relations, developed mechanisms to protect traders and cemented economic ties between European nations.