Question

In what way were the Italian city-states geographically, socially, and politically predisposed to benefit from the economic changes occurring in Europe following the Crusades?

Answer 1

The most important effect of the Crusades was economic. The Italian cities prospered from the transport of Crusaders and replaced Byzantines and Muslims as merchant-traders in the Mediterranean. Trade passed through Italian hands to Western Europe at a handsome profit. This commercial power became the economic base of the Italian Renaissance.