Ap world Unit 2

Samarkand

Strategically positioned at the crossroads of trade routes connecting East and West, Samarkand thrived as a major trading hub. Its location facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies, making it a key point along the Silk Roads. The city’s prosperity was closely tied to the flow of commodities such as silk, spices, and precious metals.

its role as a melting pot of diverse cultures. The city became a meeting place for traders, scholars, and artisans from different civilizations. This cultural fusion enriched Samarkand, fostering a unique blend of traditions, languages, and artistic expressions.

Kashgar

located at the western edge of China where northern and southern routes of the silk roads crossed, leading to destinations in Central Asia, India, and Persia

Significance- Travelers were dependent on Kashgar for its abundance of water and food

Camels along silk road

The development of transportation technologies, such as the use of camels as pack animals, which made it possible to traverse the long distances and challenging terrain of the Silk Road

Banking house

Banking houses were a new financial tool developed as traders needed a safer way to move their wealth along the Silk Roads.

Merchants and traders deposited funds, received loans, and engaged in currency exchanges within these institutions.

Bills of exchange, promissory notes, and letters of credit were pioneered by these institutions, providing merchants with flexible and secure methods for conducting business.

Astrolabe

The astrolabe was invented by the ancient Greeks and was widely used in the Islamic world during the Middle Ages.

An astrolabe is a historical astronomical instrument used to measure the positions of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. It was an important tool for astronomers, astrologers, and navigators, and was used for a variety of purposes, including timekeeping, celestial navigation, and the study of the stars.

Dhow

Dhow ships are traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts, typically used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region.

Lanteen Sail

Triangular sail that made it possible to sail against the wind

Indian Ocean Trade

Technological: The Indian Ocean trade facilitated the spread of technologies and innovations, such as the adoption of the compass and the development of new sailing technologies, which had a lasting impact on the global economy and society.

Economic: The trade was a major source of economic growth and prosperity for many of the regions involved, as it facilitated the exchange of goods and commodities and generated significant wealth through trade.

Political: The trade also had political implications, as the control of trade routes and ports was often a source of power and influence. The Indian Ocean trade was sometimes shaped by the actions of empires and kingdoms that sought to control access to these routes.

The Indian Ocean trade was a network of trade routes that connected the countries and regions around the Indian Ocean, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It was a major source of cultural exchange and economic growth for many of the regions involved, and it played a significant role in the history of the world.

The trade involved a wide variety of goods, including spices, textiles, metals, and other commodities that were in high demand around the world.

Improvements in maritime technologies like lateen sails, dhow ships, and the astrolabe, helped sailors navigate safely and consistently throughout the Indian Ocean.

Lateen Sails

Indian Ocean pt.2

knowledge of monsoon winds (when they blew at what times) was huge in making the Indian Ocean trade happen. Once sailors could utilize where the monsoons were blowing and at what times, they could make those winds blow their sails to wherever they wanted to go!

Uyghar Script

Uyghur Script was a common form of communication across the Silk Road, especially during the era of Mongol rule when Uyghur became the official script of the Mongol Empire.

The pragmatic rulers of the Mongol Empire chose the Uyghur script as a standardized writing system for official use. This script was adaptable and well-suited to represent the various languages spoken across the empire. The Mongols recognized the Uyghur script’s flexibility and efficiency, enabling them to administer their vast and culturally diverse territories effectively.

The adoption of the Uyghur script played a crucial role in administrative and diplomatic communication. Official decrees, legal documents, and diplomatic correspondence were written in the Uyghur script, allowing for consistent communication and understanding among the diverse linguistic groups within the empire.

It facilitated the transmission of knowledge, literature, and administrative practices across different linguistic communities, contributing to a shared administrative culture within the empire.

Magnetic Compass

Chinese invention that aided navigation by showing which direction was north

Diaspora

Diaspora refers to a large group of people who share a cultural and regional origin but are living away from their traditional homeland

Environmental effects: Bananas

Bananas, originating from Southeast Asia, were introduced to Africa through these maritime connections, reaching coastal areas and spreading inland through cultural exchanges and trade interactions.

Bananas, particularly the starchy plantain varieties, became a dietary staple, providing a reliable source of nutrition and sustenance. The crop’s versatility allowed for various culinary uses, from direct consumption to processing into flour or beverages.

Bananas pt.2

the cultivation and trade of bananas contributed to local economies, providing income for farmers engaged in banana cultivation and establishing the crop as a valuable commodity in trade networks.

it also had environmental consequences. Large-scale banana plantations, often associated with monoculture practices, could lead to deforestation and alterations in local ecosystems. The reliance on a single crop also posed risks, such as susceptibility to diseases, which could affect agricultural sustainability.

Papermaking ( technological advances through trade)

Papermaking, of course, was incredibly convenient since the paper was much lighter and easy to make-- and most importantly, cheaper. Paper money, especially, helped encourage increased trade along the various routes.

2.5 cultural effects of trade

Due to trade with China and India, Japan adopted a version of Buddhism (called Zen Buddhism) that blended their traditional Shinto traditions with Buddhist ones.

2.5 cultural effects of trade

Hinduism , too, continued to travel throughout Southeastern Asia. A perfect example of this is Angkor Wat in what is now Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in present-day Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world, and it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century by the King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, but it later became a Buddhist temple as well.

2.5 cultural effects of trade

also continued to spread in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Muhammad himself was a trader, so unlike many other empires at the time, trade in the Islamic caliphate was widely encouraged. As a result, Islam began to spread very rapidly. In Africa, beautiful mosques made of adobe, such as the Great Mosque of Djenne appeared, and Islam became quite powerful in many states (see Mansa Musa).

Example: Great Mosque of Djenne

The Great Mosque of Djenne is a mosque located in the city of Djenne, in present-day Mali. It is the largest mud brick building in the world and is considered a masterpiece of West African architecture. The mosque was built in the 13th century and has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the centuries. I

Printing Press

Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, using movable type and paper, revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge in Europe, marking the beginning of the Renaissance. The mass production of books and documents became feasible, democratizing access to information and fostering cultural and intellectual movements.

allowed ideas to be spread quickly around European society - it contributed to the momentum of the Protestant Reformation.

Mateo Ricci

introduced Christian teaching to the Chinese empire in the 16th century.

Matteo Ricci traveled to China that the Christian faith truly made its mark.