Question

Why was its so difficult for merchants to set up business towns that they had to turn up to the countryside in the 17th & 18th century?

Answer 1

Answer:

Merchants supplied money to peasants and artisans, persuading them to produce for an international market.

. Demand for goods increased since the European powers had acquired colonies and sold their goods in these colonies.

. But merchants could not expand production within towns because the urban crafts and trade guilds were very powerful.

. Rulers granted different guilds the monopoly rights to produce and trade in specific products.

. It was therefore difficult for new merchants to set up business in towns. So they turned to

countryside.

Answer 2

Answer:

Merchants wanted to expand their production so as to meet the growing needs of the population and therefore to decided to move to the countryside. ... ​​ Trade guilds exercised monopoly rights over production and to trade in specific products. Thus, it became difficult for new merchants to set up business in towns

Explanation: