Unit 2: Trade and Cultural Exchange in AP World History

Silk Road Trade Routes

A series of trade routes that began in China/South Asia that went through the Middle East to Europe.

Goods Moved on Silk Road

Compass, Gunpowder, Paper, Porcelain, Tea, Silk, Wool, Foods.

Interregional Commerce

The exchange of goods, services, and ideas between different regions or areas, often involving long-distance trade that connects cultures and economies.

Safety along the Silk Road

Mongols had soldiers on the roads for safety to protect from bandits; caravans made traveling safer.

Caravans

Traveling with others in caravans was safer than traveling alone.

Saddles

Saddles for camels increased the loads the animals could carry and provided a place to sit.

Magnetic Compass

Helped in navigation (N, E, S, W).

Rudder

Helped better control ships along the sea.

Junk Ships

Ships with many sails, compartments, and strong walls.

Caravanserai

Resting areas about 100 miles apart where travelers could rest and trade could happen.

Mongol Impact on Silk Road

Mongols improved the roads; parts of the road were united, making trade more secure and organized.

Mongol Protection of Silk Road

They stopped thieves and protected travelers with soldiers placed on the roads.

Khanates

Mongol kingdoms (Empire splits) including Golden Horde, Chagatai, Il-Khanate, and Yuan Dynasty.

Afro-Eurasia

A land mass that includes Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Mongol Expansion of Trade Routes

Built roads, canals, and postal stations.

Mongol Geography

Spread from Asia to Europe, including mountains, steppes, and deserts.

Globalization

Employed Persians, used Chinese architects, and spread scientific knowledge from Islamic areas to China.

Silk Road History

First golden age with Arab merchants from the Abbasid Empire; second golden age with more offerings from China; lows included bandit attacks and spread of diseases.

Spread of the Plague

Mongol conquests spread the fleas that carry the plague from China to the west.

Mongol Acceptance of Chinese Culture

Yuan Dynasty in China promoted cultural exchange and religious tolerance, enforcing Chinese traditions.

Zheng He

A Muslim admiral who led 7 voyages to show the might of the Ming Dynasty and opened new markets for Chinese goods.

Spread of Islam through Indian Ocean

Expansion of Islam connected more cities, with many travelers being Arabs and Persians.

Sufis

Islamic belief and practice where Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience with God.

Types of Sea Transportation

Sailing ships, large ocean ships (dhows), smaller coasting vessels, and Zheng He's treasure ships.

Maritime Technology

Lateen sails, stern rudders, and astrolabes that improved navigation and stability of ships.

Indian Ocean Trade Regions

Arabs, Persians, India, Malacca, China, and Swahili coastal cities in Africa.

Monsoon Winds

Winds that change direction seasonally, causing wet and dry seasons, particularly associated with the Indian Ocean.

Cultural Diffusion

Merchants waiting for monsoon winds interacted with locals, helping to spread Islam and other cultures.

Spice Islands

Areas of Malaysia and Indonesia known for a large amount of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

Importance of Gold in Africa

Gold was the most precious item traded, leading to the success of many areas.

Mali Trade

Mali traded gold and taxed other trading centers, with Timbuktu as a center for Muslim life.

African Trade with the Middle East

Very common, with many Muslim merchants using camels for trade.

Bank Notes/Credit

Currency systems like shells were established to manage trade.

Impact of Muslim Merchants

Islam spread through trade, with Mali leaders and Ghana converting to Islam.

Swahili Coast

Coast of Africa where many city-states formed due to increased trade.

Angkor Wat

A Hindu temple in the Khmer Empire, today Cambodia, known for Hindu and Buddhist art.

Spread of Islamic Culture

Islam spread through merchants, missionaries, and conquest, influencing languages and architecture.

Bubonic Plague

Also known as the Black Death, it was one of the most deadly diseases, leading to a decline in population and economy.

How the Plague Spread

Introduced to Europe by trade routes like the Silk Road and transmitted by Mongols.

Effects of Trade on the Plague

Trade and caravanserai helped spread the plague as travelers carried it.

Effects of the Plague on Urban Centers

Population declined, agriculture suffered, and people fled cities due to fear.

Effects of the Plague on Population

The population declined by about 5-40% of the world's population in a span of 5 years.