THE SILK ROADS + Cultural Transfers (U2)

What was the significance of trade networks from 1200-1450?

They facilitated trade and the spread of culture and ideas.

What luxury item was commonly exchanged in trade during this period?

Chinese silk.

What economic development allowed merchants to facilitate trade more securely?

The use of paper money.

What was 'flying money' in the context of trade?

Secure pieces of paper that could be exchanged for coins in another region.

How did banking houses in Europe originate?

They were based on Chinese banking practices.

What role did caravanserais play in trade?

They provided rest and safety for traveling merchants and became centers of cultural exchange.

Name one effect of powerful trading cities along trade routes.

Increased wealth and cultural exchange.

What increased demand for luxury goods during this time?

The profitable trade of Chinese silk and porcelain.

What was proto-industrialization?

The production of more goods than the population could consume, which were then sold to distant lands.

What was one consequence of cultural diffusion during this period?

The spread of belief systems like Islam and Buddhism.

What is syncretism in the context of Buddhism?

The adaptation of Buddhism to Chinese Daoism, leading to forms like Chan Buddhism.

What happened to Baghdad in terms of its significance during the Mongol expansion?

It was sacked, leading to the end of the Abbasid Empire.

Who was Ibn Battuta and what did he do?

A Muslim scholar from Morocco who traveled extensively and documented cultures across Dar-al Islam.

What were the consequences of connectivity for cities such as Samarkand and Kashgar?

They grew in power and influence, enhancing their trading networks.

What did Marco Polo's travels contribute to the understanding of Asian culture?

They confirmed the grandeur and wealth of China during the time of Kublai Khan.