Cash-Based Economy
During the Renaissance, the European economy grew dramatically, particularly in the area of trade. Developments such as population growth, improvements in banking, expanding trade routes, and new manufacturing systems led to an overall increase in commercial activity. Feudalism, which had been widespread in the Middle Ages, gradually disappeared, and early forms of capitalism emerged. The changes affected many aspects of European society, forcing people to adapt to different kinds of work and new ways of doing business with others.