Merchant Class

Definition

This is a socio-economic class comprising business people engaged in retail trade. They emerged as towns grew during the Middle Ages and became increasingly important during periods like the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution.

Related terms

Bourgeoisie: In Marxist contexts, this term refers to the capitalist class who own most of society's wealth and means of production.

Guilds: Medieval associations formed by craftsmen or merchants with considerable power that set standards for their professions and protected their members' interests.

Trade Networks: Systems that move goods, people, and information from one place to another for trade. Examples include the Silk Road and Trans-Saharan Trade Route.