1 Crafts and trade Craftspeople worked in small workshops. Guilds were associations of craftspeople who worked in the same trade. They regulated all phases of production . The control the guilds exercised was an obstacle to innovation . To escape this control , the domestic system developed , outside of the control of the guilds. (3) In addition , the monarchy promoted the creation of royal factories (reales fábricas in Spain). These facilities were similar to large craft workshops. They produced weapons and luxur y goods, such as tapestries. Foreign trade grew due to increased exchange with America and Asia . Privileged companies, such as the English East India Company, monopolised trade relations in certain regions, and imported tea , cotton , etc. to Europe. Triangular trade also developed . In this trade route, European ships sailed to Africa and traded low-value items for slaves. The slaves were taken to America and sold there. Traders used the profits to buy cotton , sugar, etc., which they sold in Europe. WORK WITH THE IMAGES Analyse the domestic system. Why were workshop products more expensive than those produced in the domestic system? HUMAN RIGHTS What was triangular trade based on? What is your opinion of this trading activity? Define: estate, royal factories. Analyse and compare. How was the society of the Old Regime organised? Did it resemble medieval society? What about today's society? Explain. Why was agriculture not very productive? Why did trade grow at this time? K E Y Q U E S T I O N S 3. The domestic system in the textile industry. (A) The merchant bought the raw material, for example, wool. (B) The peasants spun and wove in their own homes. (C ) The merchant collected the fabrics and (D) sold them in markets. A B C D 15
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