Modern World Unit 3: Trade Networks and Transatlantic Slave Trade

Vocabulary flashcards covering major global trade networks, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, exploration motives, and historical African civilizations based on the Unit 3 Study Guide.

Silk Road Trade Network

Trade routes that linked Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, involving Eastern China (Han dynasty), the Mongol Empire, India, and Europe.

Silk Road Trade Products (West to East)

Goods transported from the West to the East along the Silk Road, including animals, gold/silver, weapons/armour, and precious gems.

Silk Road Trade Products (East to West)

Goods transported from the East to the West along the Silk Road, including silk, tea, porcelain, spices, ivory, and gunpowder.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

A trade network featuring gold and salt, as well as pepper, leopard skins, ivory, and enslaved people.

Ghana

A West African society established in the 700s that introduced the camel and depended on the Trans-Saharan trade network.

Benin

A West African society established in the 1200s that traded more with England than with the Trans-Saharan trade network.

Indian Ocean Trade Network

Trade network between East African states and Asia trading goods such as gold, cotton, silk, and porcelain.

Swahili States

Societies located on the coast of Africa along the Indian Ocean trade network that functioned as middlemen largely used for trade.

Great Zimbabwe

A society along the trade routes connecting gold fields to the Indian Ocean, rich in materials like cattle and metals.

The 3 Gs

The motives for European exploration: Glory (desire for fame and adventure), God (spreading Christian faith to new lands), and Gold (search for wealth).

Trade Posts/Forts

Installations developed by Europeans along the west coast of Africa as they explored to the Cape of Good Hope.

Triangle (Triangular) Trade

A series of trade routes criss-crossing northern and southern colonies, connecting the West Indies, England, Europe, and Africa.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TAST)

The transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas between the 16th and 19th centuries, predominantly sent to Brazil and the Caribbean.

Middle Passage

The journey across the Atlantic Ocean used by Europeans to transport enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Mali Empire

A powerful West African empire divided into provinces, enriched by the Trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, ivory, and enslaved people, and known for building schools, mosques, and libraries.

Mansa Musa

The most famous emperor and ruler of the Mali Empire who controlled government, military, and trade.

Timbuktu

An important center of learning located in the Mali Empire known for its schools, mosques, and libraries.

Swahili Coast (City-States)

Independent East African coastal city-states (including Kilwa, Mombasa, and Mogadishu) governed by rulers who were often wealthy merchants trading across the Indian Ocean.

Dahomey

A powerful and organized West African kingdom with centralized authority, royal palaces, detailed artwork, and a strong military that traded enslaved Africans and palm oil in the Atlantic trade network.

Kongo

A Central African kingdom with a centralized government and provinces that adopted Christianity, developed metalworking, and traded ivory, crops, and enslaved people with Portuguese merchants.