Final answer:
The growth of trade and commerce in early settlements promoted the development of complex economic systems, revitalization of cities, and a global network of trade, leading to more interdependent societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emergence of Complex Economies and Societies due to Trade and Commerce
The growth of trade and commerce within early settlements contributed significantly to the emergence of more complex economic systems and social structures. During the period between 1400 and 1700 A.D., global trade expanded, particularly involving Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This expansion of trade connections facilitated the spread of ideas, technology, and cultural practices, and it also brought about significant changes in the structure of societies. The agricultural revolution of the 1400s led to surplus populations, which enabled more people to settle in cities and engage in specialized trades, such as weavers in East London who produced goods for a mass market.
Moreover, the infrastructure of trade grew, encompassing a range of economic participants from small farmers and craftsmen to large merchants and investors. Cities like Florence became centers for this burgeoning financial industry, with innovations such as double-entry bookkeeping and joint stock companies emerging. Trade revitalization also saw the involvement of the Mercantilist economy and the formation of trading companies. These developments fostered an environment in which commerce could thrive and lead to the revitalization of cities as economic hubs. Furthermore, European colonial expansions and the founding of new settlements overseas, such as those in North America, brought about far-reaching changes to indigenous cultures and the global balance of power.
It was these interconnected economic and social changes, spurred by the growth of trade and commerce, that significantly contributed to the emergence of more complex and interdependent societies across the world.