Economic development: trade, exploration, prosperity and depression
Between 1485 and 1547, England's economy shifted dramatically — trade boomed, explorers pushed into new territories, and periods of real prosperity alternated with sharp economic downturns that hit ordinary people hard.
Real World
The Magnus Intercursus (1496) allowed English wool merchants to sell cloth in the Low Countries on favourable terms — much like a modern free-trade agreement securing market access for British exporters.
Exam Focus
When writing about economic change, distinguish between short-term disruption and long-term growth; examiners reward nuanced analysis over one-sided narratives.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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