part 4 read p1

1. TULIP:
1 .....................................

During the period of the Dutch Golden Age, the port of Manchester was one of the wealthiest in all of Europe. This prosperity was in part due to the trade connections established by the Dutch East India Company, which transported luxury and exotic goods from Asia and beyond to Eurоре. Among the imported items, tulip bulbs made their way to Europe and quickly captured public attention, especially after their arrival in the bustling ports of the Netherlands. Tulips, with their striking colors and exotic appeal, soon became a symbol of status and luxury in Europe, especially as they gained popularity through trade at the prominent Manchester port.

•  The economy during the Golden Age/Trade across Europe/

  
  

• Come into Fashion

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:
2 .....................................

 In 1593, studies conducted at Dutch universities revealed that tulips could survive the cold European climate, an insight that fueled the flower's popularity. Their vibrant and diverse colors stood out against the more subdued tones of European flora, making tulips a unique spectacle. As they gained popularity, tulips became a symbol of wealth and status, particularly in the Netherlands. This popularity spread quickly across Europe, establishing tulips as a highly desirable commodity and solidifying their reputation as a status symbol among the European elite.

•  The economy during the Golden Age/Trade across Europe/

  
  

• Come into Fashion

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:

3 .....................................

The demand for tulips surged, with collectors and merchants eagerly seeking the most colorful and unique blooms. Because tulips only bloomed during a limited season, from September to November, those who wanted tulips outside this window had to place orders in advance. This created a system of advance sales and pre-purchases, giving rise to a speculative market. This practice of pre-ordering tulips and trading contracts for their future delivery resembled modern-day options and futures trading in the financial markets, laying the groundwork for a complex market around these rare and exotic flowers.

•  The economy during the Golden Age/Trade across Europe/

  
  

• Come into Fashion

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:
4 .....................................

Tulip values varied greatly, depending on their rarity and color. Multi-colored tulips, especially those with striking patterns, commanded higher prices than solid-colored varieties. Of particular interest were tulips affected by a viral infection that caused beautiful flame-like patterns on the petals, known as "broken" tulips. These rare blooms were highly valued for their unique appearance and sold for premium prices. Since tulips were also susceptible to disease, their fragility and exclusivity made them a prized commodity, as any remaining tulips became even more desirable.

•  The economy during the Golden Age/Trade across Europe/

  
  

• Come into Fashion

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:

5 .....................................

As the tulip market grew, prices skyrocketed. Merchants often held onto their bulbs, waiting to sell at inflated prices. Between 1634 and 1637, the value of certain tulips rose by up to sixty times their original price. Speculators poured increasing amounts of money into tulips, driven by the hope of reselling them at even higher prices. The speculative nature of the market led to an economic bubble, where the price of tulips continued to rise without any intrinsic reason beyond collective belief in their value.

•  The economy during the Golden Age/Trade across Europe/

  
  

• Come into Fashion

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:

6 .....................................

Tulip prices reached such extreme heights that they began to be traded on exchanges and even listed on stock markets. The general public, hoping to partake in the lucrative trade, flocked to purchase tulip bulbs. This
speculative frenzy drew in a wide range of people, from merchants to commoners, all vying for a piece of what seemed like a guaranteed profitable investment. The tulip market became a cultural and economic phenomenon, with people from all backgrounds willing to invest their savings into tulips, expecting substantial returns.

• Trade across Europe/Stock market and economics

  
  

• 
  An unexpected turn of events

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

1. TULIP:

7 .....................................

However, this bustling tulip market eventually reached its breaking point.
As with many speculative bubbles, the tulip craze was unsustainable, and prices eventually began to plummet. Once people realized that tulip prices had risen far beyond reasonable levels, panic selling ensued, and the market collapsed. The dramatic fall in prices left many investors in financial ruin as the value of tulips dwindled to a fraction of their peak. The tulip mania became one of history's most famous economic bubbles, offering a cautionary tale about the dangers of speculation and the risks inherent in market bubbles.

• Trade across Europe/Stock market and economics

  
  

• 
  An unexpected turn of events

  
  

•  An object of trade

  
  

• Different types of tulip

  
  

• Trade mechanics

  
  

2. CHARLIZE DICKEN :

1 .................................

•  Dickens for our time

• Difficulties for modern readers

•  Keeping the reader guessing

  
  

• The influence of the media

•  Dickens' early success

  
  

2. CHARLIZE DICKEN :

2 .................................

•  Dickens for our time

• Difficulties for modern readers

•  Keeping the reader guessing

  
  

• The influence of the media

•  Dickens' early success

  
  

2. CHARLIZE DICKEN :

3 .................................

•  Dickens for our time

• Difficulties for modern readers

•  Keeping the reader guessing

  
  

• The influence of the media

•  Dickens' early success