AP World Quiz Prep - 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

1000–1450

Indian Ocean commerce flourishes under a mix of Asian, Middle Eastern, and East African merchants.

1206

Temujin unites the Mongol tribes and becomes Genghis Khan.

1258

Hulegu’s Mongols capture Baghdad, ending the Abbasid Caliphate.

1260

The Mamluks halt Mongol expansion at Ain Jalut; civil war over succession speeds the split into khanates.

1271–1295

Marco Polo travels to Kublai Khan’s court and back. Kublai proclaims the Yuan dynasty (1271) and completes the conquest of

Song China (1279).

1325–1354

Ibn Battuta travels across the Islamic world, East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and China.

1346–1353

The Black Death spreads from Central Asia along trade routes to the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Middle East, and Europe. Ibn

al-Khatib writes about contagion in Granada.

1405–1433

Zheng He leads seven Ming treasure voyages through the Indian Ocean.

1498

Portuguese ships reach Calicut, beginning an armed European presence (just after this unit).

The Silk Roads

a web of overland and oasis routes linking East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Persia, the Middle East, and the

Mediterranean. They grew busiest when strong states, especially the Mongols, kept them secure.

The name Silk Roads suggests one highway, but it was a

network of many routes. Few merchants traveled the whole distance; goods passed through many

hands, and because camel transport was costly, trade favored high-value, low-weight goods such as silk, spices, porcelain, and precious metals. The

routes existed long before 1200, supported by earlier empires such as the Han, Tang, and Abbasid. What changed after 1200 was scale and security,

thanks largely to Mongol rule.

Caravans and caravanserai.

Camels (Bactrian camels in colder Central Asia, with improved saddles) carried goods across deserts and

mountains, while fortified roadside inns provided shelter, water, and markets.

Commercial innovations.

Credit, bills of exchange, partnerships, and banking houses reduced the need to carry coin. Paper money was used in

China, and Mongol rulers extended it.

Political protection.

Empires protected routes and collected tolls or tribute. Many small rulers demanding payments made trade costlier and

riskier.