The immensely learned and distinguished

professor Sven Beckert believes
that the origins of capitalism were in Aden
(the port-city of southern Yemen) in 1150 CE.
But I in my ignorant foolishness suggest
that capitalism could not have started without
the economic upheaval and stimulus
of the First Crusade, which connected France
directly with the Middle East.

The First Crusade would not have occurred
without the huge relief that the Millennium
had not brought the end of the world.