Merchants DBQ Essay
Merchant activity sustained the livelihood of all major civilizations throughout history. These activities went great distances in the fact that they supported governments and economies throughout the world in ancient and present civilizations. Even though merchant activity sustained life and the livelihood of strong civilizations, different religions from around the world viewed these activities differently. Typically, throughout the post-classical civilizations, negativity would be the best word to describe the feelings most religions had towards merchants and the actions these people underwent. In the early decades after the B.C. era finished, Christians began developing their own ideas on merchants and their proceedings. Within the New
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Testament (Document 1) under Matthew, it states that rich men (who frequently were merchants) shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven, saying that their activities are illicit, and with the aim of “…It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven…” Within the Islamic religion, merchants were tolerated, however, were warned to stand behind a product, and for if one lies and is deceitful about a product- “…ones blessing of their transaction shall be obliterated.”(Document 2). Also, however, as stated in the Muslim Qur’an- “On the day of Judgment, the honest, truthful Muslim merchant will take rank with the martyrs of the faith.”-stating that merchants were more than tolerated in this period of development in the Islamic religion. In the first and second centuries, the ideals about merchants in the Christian religion changed little.
On behalf of Reginald, a monk of Durham (Document 3) it was stated that people ought to spread wealth and goods, one shall not maintain high riches, for they should instead, furnish for charity-give rather than receive. Reginald, lettering on behalf of his colleague St. Godric, says that in order to serve the Lord and Jesus Christ, one ought to give up all possessions, lead a more simple life and give to those less-fortunate. Thomas Aquinas, a leading Scholastic theologian (Document 4) states that people shall not “sell what is not his, and though he may charge for the loss of his suffers.” He states that people of the earth and of God shunt sell things for more than they are worth, which is exactly the activity merchants practice, for they need to make profit by raising the price on what they paid for merchandise. A similar phenomenon was occurring in the Islamic religion during this era. Ibn Khaldun, a leading Muslim scholar in the fourteenth century, announced that men shouldn’t pay more for what an item is worth and that they shunt raise prices of goods for people, just so merchants can bathe in higher riches (Document 5). In the later centuries, particularly the 14th-17th, views on the prosperous merchants of the world did not change. Not only were religious views on merchants negative, nevertheless mother’s views of their child merchants were of poor quality (Document
6). A letter being sent to a merchant crafted by his mother, states that “…Crave not for all; you have already enough to suffice you!” The hysterical mother is stating that there is no need for riches and high amounts of money. Do not yearn for more and more materials and wealth; you already have plenty for you to live on happily. Although merchant activity supported great civilizations and societies throughout the history of the world, religions of these civilizations and societies shared negative views on the topic. Their views on the topic almost never contrasted. The only difference between these two religions and their beliefs on merchants is that Islams were more tolerate of merchants and their activities. Over time, views did not change, and merchants continued practicing their “unlawful activities.” Although money has supported all civilizations, nations, and countries, the majority of the population of these societies frowned upon wealth and riches, these people articulate and will justify that wealth won’t grant you happiness or a ticket for an eternity with the Lord in Heaven.
Testament (Document 1) under Matthew, it states that rich men (who frequently were merchants) shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven, saying that their activities are illicit, and with the aim of “…It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven…” Within the Islamic religion, merchants were tolerated, however, were warned to stand behind a product, and for if one lies and is deceitful about a product- “…ones blessing of their transaction shall be obliterated.”(Document 2). Also, however, as stated in the Muslim Qur’an- “On the day of Judgment, the honest, truthful Muslim merchant will take rank with the martyrs of the faith.”-stating that merchants were more than tolerated in this period of development in the Islamic religion. In the first and second centuries, the ideals about merchants in the Christian religion changed little.
On behalf of Reginald, a monk of Durham (Document 3) it was stated that people ought to spread wealth and goods, one shall not maintain high riches, for they should instead, furnish for charity-give rather than receive. Reginald, lettering on behalf of his colleague St. Godric, says that in order to serve the Lord and Jesus Christ, one ought to give up all possessions, lead a more simple life and give to those less-fortunate. Thomas Aquinas, a leading Scholastic theologian (Document 4) states that people shall not “sell what is not his, and though he may charge for the loss of his suffers.” He states that people of the earth and of God shunt sell things for more than they are worth, which is exactly the activity merchants practice, for they need to make profit by raising the price on what they paid for merchandise. A similar phenomenon was occurring in the Islamic religion during this era. Ibn Khaldun, a leading Muslim scholar in the fourteenth century, announced that men shouldn’t pay more for what an item is worth and that they shunt raise prices of goods for people, just so merchants can bathe in higher riches (Document 5). In the later centuries, particularly the 14th-17th, views on the prosperous merchants of the world did not change. Not only were religious views on merchants negative, nevertheless mother’s views of their child merchants were of poor quality (Document
6). A letter being sent to a merchant crafted by his mother, states that “…Crave not for all; you have already enough to suffice you!” The hysterical mother is stating that there is no need for riches and high amounts of money. Do not yearn for more and more materials and wealth; you already have plenty for you to live on happily. Although merchant activity supported great civilizations and societies throughout the history of the world, religions of these civilizations and societies shared negative views on the topic. Their views on the topic almost never contrasted. The only difference between these two religions and their beliefs on merchants is that Islams were more tolerate of merchants and their activities. Over time, views did not change, and merchants continued practicing their “unlawful activities.” Although money has supported all civilizations, nations, and countries, the majority of the population of these societies frowned upon wealth and riches, these people articulate and will justify that wealth won’t grant you happiness or a ticket for an eternity with the Lord in Heaven.