Merchant guilds were a source of income for families who otherwise would not have any. Men could support their families by joining a merchant guild and learning a trade. If they were injured the guild would take care of the family. These men would even be paid as they were learning the craft so essentially there was room for the lower class to actually survive because of these guilds.
Nicaragua is significant because of its being an appropriate location for a canal4 and its geopolitical location as a large country in the middle of the region. Because of this position, Nicaragua has traditionally played a central role in disputes over con- trol of Central America.