The Northern cities of
Hamburg and Luebeck founded Hanseatic League through the twelfth century.
During that era, people in both Hamburg and Luebeck considered trade as a
dangerous business, which this enabled their merchants to travel together in
order to protect themselves from enemies. Nevertheless, merchants from most
cities in the region including North Germany cities, Baltic port cities and
many others joined the league. Hanseatic League operated for more than 300
years with members from more than 300 cities. The primary role of the league
was to protect themselves from rivals and rules by using powerful navy funded
by members. The Hanseatic merchants played significant roles including
exporting goods, food and commodities such as clothes, timber, far and luxury
goods. In addition, the Hanseatic League ensured the removal of trade
restrictions among its members. This was evident in 1159 when the merchants of
Cologne requested the king of England Henry II to save them from London tolls
and allow them have fair trades in England.
Concurrently, Hanseatic
League highly contributed towards the growth of many cities. The league boosted
the economy, thus resulting to prosperity that the cities had never
experienced. It led to the introduction of commercial markets, globalization
and financial markets. As well, it resulted in many innovations like cashless
payment, the postal system, bookkeeping and labor division. Interestingly, the
league had many powers, which enabled it to enforce blockades against
dissimilar kingdoms, and went ahead waging war to attain their economic
interests. By the end of 14th century, Germans were in control of many things
within the league including the revenues from fisheries, the fortresses sound
and its ships could enter the Bergen port with their tops on. Consequently,
research reveals that all cities that were members of Hanseatic League ended up
wealthy with great stature. This is evident through magnificent towns and
prestigious buildings that still exist to date.
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