Final answer:
The Crusades had a significant economic impact on European society, such as the increased demand for luxury goods from Muslim territories and the adoption of printed money, which led to Europe transitioning from a barter to a monetary economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Economic Impact of the Crusades:
One of the significant economic impacts of the Crusades on European society was the increased demand for goods from Muslim territories. As Crusaders returned from the Middle East, they brought back with them new products such as silk and sugar, goods previously unknown to Europeans, creating a demand for these and other luxurious items. This eventually led to greater trade between Europe and the Muslim world.
Another impact was the adoption of printed money. Europe at the time of the Crusades was largely a barter economy, while the Muslim world operated on a currency-based market economy. The interaction with the sophisticated economic systems of the Muslim territories contributed to the development of a monetary economy in Europe. Consequently, European societies eventually started to adopt the use of currency more broadly, moving away from the barter system that had previously dominated.
These economic developments, spurred by the Crusades, played a part in the gradual transformation of European economies and contributed to the rising wealth and power of Italian city-states that facilitated trade with the East.