Commerce and Trade in Early Civilization

Abstract

This book, the first in a two-volume set, is one author’s story of the history of commerce, trade and industry in four regions of the world: the United Kingdom, particularly what we know as England and Wales; of the Holy Roman empire and its modern manifestation, what we now know as Germany; the early Asian economic power of Japan; and of the North American colonies that became the United States of America. The story focuses on the evolution of economic activity in those regions of the world, including the institutions of business, commerce, trade, and industry. “Business” has been defined by Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor (2010, 9) as the “organized effort of individuals to produce and sell, for a profit, the goods and services that satisfy society’s needs.” “Commerce” is used as a broader term and incorporates all the activities necessary to facilitate the exchange of goods and services. It can be carried out by businesses, nonprofit organizations, or governments.