How did the growth of commerce shift the structure of power in European societies?

The growth of commerce in European societies during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance shifted the structure of power by diminishing the feudal aristocracy's dominance and elevating the merchant and bourgeois classes. As trade expanded, wealth became increasingly tied to economic activity rather than land ownership, leading to the rise of wealthy merchants and business leaders who gained significant influence in political and social spheres. This shift contributed to the emergence of more centralized nation-states and the gradual decline of feudalism, as commercial interests often aligned with emerging national governments. Ultimately, the growth of commerce fostered a more dynamic social hierarchy based on capital rather than hereditary privilege.