Around the same time, the Hanseatic League, based around northern ports, lost its importance as new trade routes to Asia and the Americas were established, and the most powerful German states of that period were located in Middle and Southern Germany.
Omkring samme tid mistede Hansestæderne, der var baseret i de nordlige havne, sin vigtighed efterhånden som der blev etableret nye handelsruter til Asien og Amerika, mens de mest magtfulde tyske stater i perioden befandt sig i Midt- og Sydtyskland.