According to our interpretation, modern trade fairs started in Europe during the First
World War and in its immediate aftermath. With the closing of trade movements during
the war, many cities had to resort to the old medieval tradition of providing especial
permits to traders to guarantee them personal protection during their trade meetings.
During the tough post war crisis many more cities typically industrial districts-
discovered in the creation of trade fairs a powerful competitive tool ...
According to our interpretation, modern trade fairs started in Europe during the First
World War and in its immediate aftermath. With the closing of trade movements during
the war, many cities had to resort to the old medieval tradition of providing especial
permits to traders to guarantee them personal protection during their trade meetings.
During the tough post war crisis many more cities typically industrial districts-
discovered in the creation of trade fairs a powerful competitive tool to attract market
transactions. We compare these developments with the remote origins of fairs, as, in
both cases, trade fair development is a reaction to the closing of free markets under the
pressure of political violence.
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