Trade and handicrafts in the urban areas in the political circumstances of the 17th and 18th centuries

Abstract

Abstract : Moldavia’s economy during the 17th and the 18th centuries it’s more and more affected by the needs of the suzerain power which consolidates its position as a primordial pole in the orientation of the productive activities. The requests of The Ottoman Porte (concerning grain, cattle and other animal products) which are growing as they try to keep the integrity of the empire, impose a more important role for the grain and cattle forming economy in the area between the Carpathians and the Danube. A consequence of this reality is the birth of the great boyard’s and monastic estates, a process which began a century before, having many consequences on the economy in general and especially on the limitation of the processing degree of some raw materials. The importance of the Romanian Countries for the Ottoman Empire in this context, the underestimation of the Romanian products sold on the Ottoman market, paying in nature (grain and cattle) some debts of some voivodes, or for the annual tribute paid to the Porte, plus the needs of the Ottoman army hired in different military missions, all these made the court and the suzerain power to be both interested in expanding the feudal estates that will produce for satisfying the Empire. This situation will become permanent during the 17th century, manifesting itself more significantly during the following century.