APWHM 2.1 The Silk Roads

Kashgar

a central trading point where the Eastern and Western Silk Roads met.

Samarkland

Increased volume of trade on the Silk Road promoted growth of new trade cities such as Samarkland in Central Asia. It was formed for the sole reason as stops in trade routes.

Bills of Exchange

a written order to a person requiring the person to make a specified payment to the signatory or to a named payee; a promissory note.

Banking Houses

These European banks developed during the Middle Ages to aid trade. Along with innovations such as bills of exchange, or bank drafts, and credit, the rise of banking houses supported the development of interregional trade in luxury goods.

paper money

legal currency issued on paper; it developed in China as a convenient alternative to metal coins

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Marco Polo followed the route on his journey to Cathay.

Textiles

a type of cloth or woven fabric

porcelain

a thin, beautiful pottery invented in China

Steel and Iron

examples of heavy industry that grew during the Song. Mass-production methods were often employed in production

Flying Money

Chinese credit instrument that provided credit vouchers to merchants to be redeemed at the end of the voyage; reduced danger of robbery; early form of currency