Unit 2: Networks of Exchange Vocab

Astrolabe

Bills of Exchange

Caravanserai*

Roadside stops along the Silk Roads which emerged as trading volume across the Silk Roads increased. These were often oases (areas in arid c;image with water/fertile land) between arid stretches of the Silk Road that were less populated with cities, such as through Central Asian desserts (Gobi and Taklamakan). There, merchants could replenish water supplies, obtain fresh food, rest, feed themselves and their animals, and replace their animals. In a cyclical way, increased trade promoted more caravanserai, while more caravanserai promoted increased trade, as many different cultures mingled at these crossroads to interact with each other and trade.

Camel Saddle*

Specialized saddles which allowed camels to carry a greater amount of volume without being impaired while merchants navigated the Trans-Saharan trade routes. The first camel saddles were introduced in 1500 BCE and evolved over time, increasing in popularity as camels became pack animals and trade increased.

Diaspora

Genghis Khan*

Originally Temujin, he built his power through a series of tribal alliances, incorporating conquered peoples into his army, distributing spoils of war evenly, and implementing a meritocracy. His great leadership skills and determination allowed him to unite the fractured Mongol tribes together, warning him the name Genghis Khan (“Ruler of All”) in 1206.

Ibn Battuta*

Junk Ship

Khanates

Kublai Khan

First leader of Yuan Dynasty, supporter of commercial and scientific advancement

Brought several separate regions under unified control by establishing Yuan

Controlled commercial economy

Lateen Sail

Magnetic Compass

Marco Polo*

Nomadism*

Pax Mongolica*

Trade Cities

Rudders

Trans-Saharan Trade*

Uyghur Script

Yuan Dynasty*

Mongol-led dynasty that lasted from 1271—1368 CE

Zheng He*