Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic League was a trade alliance formed in the late Middle Ages, around the 13th century, primarily by German towns along the Baltic and North Seas. Its purpose was to promote and protect mutual trading interests, ensuring safe passage for merchants, reducing tariffs, and coordinating trade practices among its members. Prominent cities like Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bremen were key players. The League facilitated economic growth and cultural exchange, significantly influencing the region’s development, as it connected various countries through commerce, laying groundwork for future trade networks in Europe. The League gradually declined by the 17th century.