I’m exploring different scenarios for a future D&D campaign. I want to know if it’s possible, for a growing settlement, to develop without trading with its neighbors.
Let’s assume that they can grow their population through immigration, and that all resources needed for a proper civilization can be found within their territory (metals, wood, food, water, stone, room for growth, ...)
As for a justification for no exterior trading, let’s say that the society in question doesn’t want to allow anyone who isn’t a citizen (or future citizen) within their borders.
I’m wondering if there have been such examples in real life, and if any of them were successful.
EDIT1: I used the term “city” because this is for a land that is being settled for the first time, it will eventually grow into a whole country, but I assumed that one would first develop one city. By “city” I mean buildings/habitations/... that are under the influence of one administrative center that the city is built around.