Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The state of the German economy: growing towns and cities; trade and…
Full specification wording
Conditions in early sixteenth- century Germany: The state of the German economy: growing towns and cities; trade and communications between the states.
The German economy in the early sixteenth century was diverse and expanding.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The German economy in the early sixteenth century was diverse and expanding. Towns and cities grew, especially in regions like the Rhineland, Saxony and the Hanseatic League, driven by trade, crafts and finance. Trade networks linked German states with each other and with international markets: the Hanseatic League dominated Baltic and North Sea trade, while southern cities like Augsburg and Nuremberg thrived on banking and textiles. Communications improved with roads, rivers and postal services, facilitating the movement of goods, people and ideas. However, economic growth was uneven, with rural areas remaining largely agricultural and some regions experiencing poverty and social unrest. This economic context contributed to the spread of the Reformation.
What earns the marks
- Describes the growth of towns and cities, giving examples such as Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Hanseatic cities.
- Explains the nature of trade and communications between the German states, including the role of the Hanseatic League and river routes.
- Assesses the impact of economic growth on society and the spread of new ideas.
- Evaluates the extent and limitations of economic development, noting regional variations.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming all German states were economically advanced.
Put it right: Growth was uneven, with many rural areas remaining poor and agricultural.
Overlooking the role of the Hanseatic League in trade.
Put it right: The League was central to northern European commerce.
Ignoring the importance of communications for the Reformation.
Put it right: Improved communications helped spread Luther's ideas.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples of towns and trade routes to illustrate economic growth.
- When discussing trade, mention both internal (between German states) and external (international) networks.
- Connect economic developments to social and religious changes for higher-level analysis.
Try the lesson
The start of the Conditions in early sixteenth- century Germany: The state of the German economy: growing towns and cities; trade and communications between the states. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which development significantly contributed to the growth of German towns and cities in the early sixteenth century?
Listen
The German economy in the early sixteenth century was diverse and expanding. Towns and cities grew, especially in regions like the Rhineland, Saxony and the Hanseatic League, driven by trade, crafts and finance. Trade networks linked German states with each other and with international markets: the Hanseatic League dominated Baltic and North Sea trade, while southern cities like Augsburg and Nuremberg thrived on banking and textiles. Communications improved with roads, rivers and postal services, facilitating the movement of goods, people and ideas. However, economic growth was uneven, with rural areas remaining largely agricultural and some regions experiencing poverty and social unrest. This economic context contributed to the spread of the Reformation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes the growth of towns and cities, giving examples such as Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Hanseatic cities. Explains the nature of trade and communications between the German states, including the role of the Hanseatic League and river routes. Assesses the impact of economic growth on society and the spread of new ideas. Evaluates the extent and limitations of economic development, noting regional variations. A common slip: Assuming all German states were economically advanced. Instead, growth was uneven, with many rural areas remaining poor and agricultural. Exam tip: Use specific examples of towns and trade routes to illustrate economic growth.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Urbanisation
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Trade networks
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Communication and transport
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Economic inequality
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See every definition
- Urbanisation
- The growth of towns and cities, especially in regions like the Rhineland, Saxony and the Hanseatic League, driven by trade, crafts and finance.
- Trade networks
- Links between German states and with international markets, with the Hanseatic League dominating Baltic and North Sea trade and southern cities thriving on banking and textiles.
- Communication and transport
- Improvements such as roads, rivers and postal services that facilitated the movement of goods, people and ideas.
- Economic inequality
- Uneven economic growth, with rural areas remaining largely agricultural and some regions experiencing poverty and social unrest.
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