When the class of merchants emerged they were called peddlers. They went from town to town selling supplies to rich and noble people. This developed the areas they visited into towns and major centers of trade.
Because of that, the class of merchants created a transition from feudalism - a land-based society - to capitalism. This caused a shift of power, from landlords - who owned the land had all the power because everything and everyone depended on the land - to merchants.
