2.5-2.7 - Cultural and Environmental Effects of Connectivity (1200-1450)

Cultural Diffusion

Spread of cultural beliefs and practices across regions.

Syncretism

Blending of different religious or cultural beliefs.

Chan Buddhism

Zen Buddhism influenced by Daoism in China.

Dar al-Islam

Islamic territories facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

Swahili Language

Blend of Bantu and Arabic influences in East Africa.

Islamic Merchants

Traders who spread Islam through commerce.

Neo-Confucianism

Fusion of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in China.

Literary Transfers

Exchange of literary works across cultures.

Gunpowder

Explosive technology diffused from China through trade.

Lateen Sail

Sail design allowing ships to navigate against the wind.

Stern Post Rudder

Device improving ship maneuverability and navigation precision.

Magnetic Compass

Navigational tool using Earth's magnetic field for direction.

Astrolabe

Instrument for determining latitude using celestial bodies.

Hangzhou

Major trading city in China, population around one million.

Marco Polo

Traveler who documented cultural exchanges in Asia.

Baghdad

Cultural center of the Islamic Golden Age.

Constantinople

Byzantine capital, later renamed Istanbul after Ottoman conquest.

Timbuktu

Important trading city in West Africa, center of learning.

Calicut

Key trading port on the southwestern coast of India.

Samarkand

Historic city on the Silk Road, known for trade.

Mombasa

Coastal city in Kenya, significant for trade routes.

Interregional Travel

Movement between different regions facilitated by trade safety.

Ibn Battuta

Moroccan scholar who traveled extensively in Dar al-Islam.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who documented experiences in China.

Linguistic Coupling

Interaction of languages due to trade, creating new languages.

Swahili

New language developed from trade interactions in East Africa.

Urdu

Language emerging from cultural connectivity in South Asia.

Agricultural Transfers

Movement of crops impacting diets and population growth.

Bananas in Africa

Introduced from Southeast Asia, enhancing diets and migration.

Champa Rice

Drought-resistant rice from Vietnam, boosting Chinese food production.

Citrus Fruits in Europe

Introduced by Muslim traders, diversifying diets and health.

Sugar Cultivation

Spread of sugar led to increased demand for enslaved labor.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly disease spread via trade routes during Mongol expansion.

Black Death

Plague that killed a third of the Middle Eastern population.

Silk Roads

Trade routes facilitating cultural and disease exchanges.

Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Maritime routes enhancing trade and cultural interactions.

Population Explosion

Rapid increase in population due to agricultural innovations.

Terraced Farming

Agricultural method influenced by Champa rice cultivation.

Paddy Cultivation

Rice farming technique adapted for previously unusable areas.

Social Consequences of Plague

Labor shortages and decline of feudalism post-Black Death.

Economic Consequences of Plague

Disruption of societal structures leading to secularism.

Boccaccio's Description

Highlights the swift and deadly nature of the plague.

Rats and Fleas

Carriers of the plague, exacerbating its spread.

Regions Spared from Plague

Areas with fewer trade ports, like Southeast Asia.

Environmental Degradation

Deterioration of natural environments due to human activities.

Silk Roads

Ancient trade routes connecting East and West.

Indian Ocean Trade Network

Maritime trade routes linking Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

Trade routes across the Sahara Desert connecting North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa.

Origins of Trade Networks

Developed from pre-existing routes by early traders.

Economic Exchange

Primary purpose of trade networks facilitating commerce.

Cultural Diffusion

Spread of cultural elements through trade interactions.

Technological Diffusion

Transfer of technology across different cultures via trade.

Biological Diffusion

Exchange of crops, animals, and diseases through trade.

Rise of Trading Cities

Emergence of cities as centers of trade and culture.

Centralization of Power

Concentration of authority to protect trade routes.

Standardized Currencies

Uniform money systems developed to facilitate trade.

Strong Navies

Naval forces established to ensure maritime trade safety.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who documented his journey to China.

Kublai Khan

Mongol ruler who hosted Marco Polo at his court.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim scholar who traveled extensively across Dar al-Islam.

Bubonic Plague

Devastating disease that spread via trade routes.

Neo-Confucianism

Philosophical movement blending Confucianism with Daoism and Buddhism.

Majapahit Kingdom

Significant Buddhist kingdom located on Java.

Sinhala Dynasties

Buddhist kingdoms in Sri Lanka known for religious scholarship.

Ultigh Beg Madrasa

Islamic school built in Samarkand during the 15th century.

Ottoman Empire

Islamic empire that conquered Constantinople in 1453.

Cultural Exchanges

Interactions leading to sharing of ideas and traditions.

Buddhism

Religion spreading from India to China via Silk Roads.

Chan Buddhism

Zen Buddhism evolved from traditional Buddhism in China.

Confucianism

Philosophical system influencing Chinese scholar gentry.

Neo-Confucianism

Revived Confucianism, state ideology in Korea and Japan.

Hinduism

Religion spreading through trade to Southeast Asia.

Islam

Religion expanding through trade and conquests globally.

Swahili language

Blend of Bantu and Arabic from East African trade.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who documented journeys to China.

Ibn Battuta

Moroccan scholar exploring Islamic world for 30 years.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan, Yuan Dynasty founder.

Xuanzang

Buddhist monk who traveled to India for scriptures.

Lu Yu

Chinese poet from the Song Dynasty, cultural figure.

Xin Qiji

Song Dynasty poet linked to Hangzhou's cultural scene.

Mansa Musa

Mali Empire ruler known for extravagant Hajj pilgrimage.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam, former merchant turned prophet.

Lateen sail

Triangular sail improving navigation and seafaring.

Stern post rudder

Innovation enhancing ship maneuverability and control.

Astrolabe

Instrument for solving problems related to time and position.

Gunpowder

Chinese invention revolutionizing warfare and military tactics.

Paper

Chinese invention facilitating knowledge dissemination and record-keeping.

Champa rice

Fast-maturing rice from Vietnam boosting Chinese food supply.

Citrus fruits

Agricultural product spreading from Southwest Asia to Europe.

Trading cities

Urban centers flourishing due to strategic trade routes.

Mongol invasions

Military campaigns causing city declines, like Baghdad.

Ottoman expansion

Empire growth leading to the decline of Constantinople.

Merchants

Individuals who facilitate trade, elevating their status.

Giovanni Boccaccio

Italian writer who chronicled the Black Death.

Ultigh Beg

Timurid Sultan known for promoting education.

Syncretism

Blending of diverse religious and cultural beliefs.

Dar al-Islam

Regions governed by Islamic law and principles.

Lateen Sail

Triangular sail enhancing maneuverability against the wind.

Stern Post Rudder

Rear ship steering mechanism improving control.

Pax Mongolica

Period of peace under Mongol Empire facilitating trade.