In which ways and with what consequences for German society did the German economy change during period of 1500-1555?

The first 200 words of this essay...

In which ways and with what consequences for German society did the German economy change during period of 1500-1555?

In 1500 Germany was entering a period of economic unrest despite appearances to the contrary. The German economy appeared to be flourishing between 1460 and l540. Textile production, manufacturing and mining levels were high. Natural resources were being exploited at previously unseen levels and trade was booming all along the Rhine, the Danube and Germany's lesser rivers. Also, the population was expanding and consumer demand with it, and towns saw spectacular expansion.

But already general European economic changes had already inflicted damaging blows before 1500. The whole economic structure of Europe was turning to Germany's disadvantage. The once matchless Hanseatic League, at the height of its power in the fifteenth century, was losing its market share of international trade in the Baltic and across northern Europe to Flemish, English and Swedish merchants, and its control of Baltic shipping to the Dutch. The lack of a native German merchant fleet was a serious weakness and put Germany at a major disadvantage.

Natural accidents such as the migration of herring shoals to the North Sea compounded this.