WHAP key terms unit 2

Indian Ocean trade

Relatively safe routes connecting ports in western India to ports in the Persian Gulf and eastern Africa; dominated by the Persians and the Arabs and required technology resilient to the region's monsoon seasons

Silk Road

An ancient network of trade routes that connected the East and the West; utilized under the reign of the Mongols to trade important goods such as silk and porcelain, and acted as a hub for cultural and religious exchange

Bubonic plague

A deadly epidemic transmitted through new forms of commerce and trade; destroyed traditional social structures in Europe, facilitating the shift toward a commercial economy

Pax Mongolica

the period of economic and social stabilization throughout Eurasia during the 13th and 14th century that was ushered in by the Mongol Empire’s widespread conquest; spurred an increase in trade along the Silk Road due to the Mongols’ dedication to keeping the route safe for trade

Oasis towns

Bustling towns that served as “hand-off” points for passing commodities from person to person; used by merchants as rest stops during their grueling trips

Monsoon season

A seasonal and consistent change that brought dependable winds used by merchants on the Indian Ocean trade to sail their boats to and from their destinations

Lateen sail

A very maneuverable and reliable triangle-shaped sail that allowed merchants on the Indian Ocean trade routes to harness the seasonal monsoon winds

Qanat system

a Persian system of irrigation that utilized gravity through gently-sloped tunnels to divert groundwater across long distances to needed fields

Diaspora

a large group of people with a similar heritage who have been scattered around the world away from their homeland

Dhow

a sailing vessel rigged with lateen sails used by merchants on the Indian Ocean trade routes to carry their goods to and from their destination

Camel caravan

large groups of people that used camels and caravans to travel across the African desert; utilized for the trading of goods and also carried religion

Caravanserai

Inns located across the desert routes that provided accommodation for traveling caravans so they could rest

Silk

A valuable and lucrative good originating from China and traded along the Silk Road