Hanseatic Trade

The Hanseatic Trade was a medieval commercial network established by cities and merchants in Northern Europe from the 12th to 17th centuries. Known as the Hanseatic League, it aimed to protect trade interests, facilitate commerce, and ensure mutual security across regions like present-day Germany, the Baltic, and North Sea areas. The league maintained trade routes, standardized regulations, and had its own laws and ships, allowing member cities to dominate regional trade. It fostered economic growth and cultural exchange, playing a vital role in the development of Northern European urban centers during the Middle Ages and early modern period.