Why did competition in western Europe encourage the Hanseatic League to use monopolies?

In the early stages of the Hanseatic League, the organization did not initially rely on restrictive policies because the 12th- and 13th-century economic boom provided limitless opportunities for all merchants. However, competition in western Europe—arising from both rival German groups and native inhabitants—forced the league to adopt a monopolistic and competitive strategy from the beginning in that region.1

By establishing monopolies, the league aimed to secure its commercial interests and maintain economic leverage in areas where it faced significant external pressure. This approach allowed the German merchants to protect their trade against competitors and ensure favorable conditions in foreign markets. While these protectionist measures were later extended to other branches of trade and regions where the league became firmly established, the competitive environment of the west was the primary catalyst for this shift toward monopolistic control.1