Silk Roads and Trade Dynamics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the Silk Roads, trade dynamics, and the cultural exchanges that occurred as a result.

Silk Roads

Ancient trade routes connecting the East and West, facilitating not only trade but cultural exchanges.

Samarkand

A major trading city along the Silk Roads located between China and the Mediterranean, known for its cultural exchange.

Paper money

A system of credit developed to facilitate trade, allowing merchants to deposit and withdraw currency easily.

Banking houses

Institutions that facilitated the exchange of paper money and credit among merchants.

Caravanserai

Ancient roadside inns where travelers and their animals could rest and trade goods with local markets.

Swahili City-States

Commercial city-states in East Africa that developed due to trade in native goods such as gold and ivory.

Sultanate of Malacca

A wealthy state in Southeast Asia that controlled trade through the Strait of Malacca, imposing fees on passing ships.

Compass

A navigational tool that helped sailors determine direction while trading at sea.

Astrolabe

An instrument used by sailors to determine their latitude based on the position of stars.

Proto-industrialization

The preliminary phase of industrial growth characterized by increased demand and production of goods, particularly in China.

Gunpowder

A significant military innovation that originated from China and spread culturally and technologically.

Merchant diasporas

Communities of merchants who settled in foreign lands and often adopted local cultures while influencing them.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer during the Ming dynasty who led maritime voyages to display power and collect tribute.

Monsoon winds

Seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean that were pivotal in guiding maritime traders.

Camel saddle

An innovation that facilitated the transport of heavy goods across deserts during trans-Saharan trade.

Buddhism

A major religion that spread into East Asia as a result of cross-cultural interactions along trade routes.

Commercial practices

Techniques and methods used in trade that evolved to enhance efficiency and expand networks.

Economic demand

The desire for goods which drives the production and trade of those goods.