Unit 2: Networks of Exchange

Zheng He

An imperial eunuch and Muslim, entrusted by the Ming emperor Yongle with a series of state voyages that took his treasure ships through the Indian Ocean, from Southeast Asia to Africa.

Marco Polo

Venetian merchant and traveler. His accounts of his travels to China offered Europeans a firsthand view of Asian lands and stimulated interest in Asian trade.

Trans-Saharan Trade

route across the Sahara desert. Major trade route that traded for gold and salt, created caravan routes, economic benefit for controlling desert, camels played a huge role in trading

What benefit did the Mongols offer for the Silk Road?

They offered protection for traders and their goods, which stimulated trade.

Indian Ocean Trade

world's richest maritime trading network that was essential for the prosperity of East Africa

Constantinople

Capital of the Byzantine Empire and westernmost point of the Silk Road

Caravanserai

an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa.

Lateen Sail

Triangular sail on a short mast

Dhows

sailboat using wind-catching, triangular sails; originated with Muslims for the Indian Ocean

Steppe

A large area of flat unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or Siberia.

Genghis Khan

Also known as Temujin; he united the Mongol tribes into an unstoppable fighting force; created largest single land empire in history.

Pastoralism

A type of agricultural activity based on nomadic animal husbandry to provide food, clothing, and shelter.

What animal was of the greatest SIG to the Mongols?

the horse

Advances in technology for Silk Road and Trans-Saharan travel

Stirrups, camel saddles, and caravanserai

Jagadai Khanate/Timurids

Khanate of central Asia; followers of Timur

Il-Khanate

Mongol empire that ruled over Iran (Persia) & the Middle East; non-Muslim; overtaxed due to tax farming

Golden Horde

Mongol khanate in Russia; Muslim; used Muscovite princes as tax collectors

Yuan Dynasty

Dynasty in China set up by the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan, replaced the Song (1279-1368)

What was the SIG of Marco Polo's travels and accounts on Europe?

Increased the desire for luxury goods in Europe

Silk Road Trade

The most famous of the trading routes established by pastoral nomads connecting the Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Mediterranean civilizations; transmitted goods and ideas among civilization.

What religion started in India and diffused to China and SE Asia along trade networks?

Buddhism

Pax Mongolica

Era of relative peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire

Yam System

Mongol trade/communication system, rider rides to different stations, gets what they need and continue on to the next station with more messages

The Byzantine Empire fell in 1453 to...

the Ottoman Turks

What group did Mongols find especially distasteful?

Farmers because they dug in the ground

Accomplishments of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty

Encyclopedia set, Forbidden City, sent Zheng He on voyages

Monsoons

seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons

Swahili Coast

region along east coast of Africa, part of Indian Ocean trade route, Islam influenced

Diasporic communities

immigrants who have relocated from their ancestral homelands and retained their distinct cultural identities as ethnic minority groups in their new host countries