Explain why in seventeenth century the merchants of towns in Europe began employing peasants and artisans within the villages

(i) ln 17th and 18th centuries merchants from towns in Europe began moving to the countryside supplying money to peasants and artisans persuading them to produce for an international market.
(ii) With the expansion of world trade and acquisition of colonies in different parts of the world, the demand for goods increased.
(iii) Since production in towns and cities was controlled by powerful guilds, the merchants , began employing peasant and artisans from villages. These artisans were not controlled by guilds.

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