Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (AP World)

Silk Roads

Land routes connecting East Asia to Europe; traded luxury goods.

Kashgar

Central City where Silk Road routes converged; thrived on trade.

Samarkand

Islamic center of learning and trade between China and the Islamic world.

Caravanserai

Inns along trade routes where merchants and camels rested

Flying Cash

Chinese system of credit (paper money) that replaced heavy coins.

Hanseatic League

Commercial alliance in Northern Europe to protect trade.

Genghis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire; unified nomadic tribes

Pax Mongolica

Period of “Mongol Peace” that stabilized trade across Eurasia

Uyghur Script

Writing system adopted by Mongols to unify their empire.

Batu/Goldern Horde

Mongol Khanate that conquered Russia

Helugu/Il-Khanate

Mongol Khanate that toppled the Abbasid Caliphate

Kublai Khan/ Yuan Dynasty

Mongol rule in China; abolished the Civil Service Exam

Siege Weapons

Tech (cannons/catapults) spread by Mongols across Eurasia

Indian Ocean Trade

World’s largest sea-based trade network until the Atlantic trade.

Monsoon Winds

Seasonal winds that merchants used to time their voyages.

Lateen Sail

Triangular sail that allowed ships to sail against the wind.

Stern Rudder

Chinese invention that gave ships better stability/steering

Astrolabe

Used by sailors to determine latitude (distance from the equator)

Malacca

Powerful Muslim city-state that taxed ships In the Strait of Malacca

Swahili City-States

Commercial centers in East Africa trading gold/ivory

Gujarat

Wealthy Indian state that served as a middleman in sea trade.

Zheng He

Chinese admiral who led 7 voyages to show off Ming power

Trans-Saharan Trade

Linked West Africa to the Mediterranean viaa the desert.

Arabian Camels

The “technology” that made desert trade possible

Mansa Musa

Richest man in history; his Hajj spread Mali’s fame and gold

Bubonic Plague

Pandemic spread by trade/Mongols; killed 1/3 of Europe.