Networks of Exchange from 1200-1450

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts surrounding trade networks and cultural exchanges from 1200 to 1450.

Trans-Saharan Trade

A trade network that facilitated the exchange of goods across the Sahara Desert, significantly involving the use of camel caravans.

Silk Roads

Ancient trade routes connecting East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.

Zheng He

A Chinese admiral who led maritime explorations during the early Ming dynasty, establishing trade links between China and the Indian Ocean.

Diasporic Communities

Communities of traders and merchants who settled in new areas, often leading to cultural exchange and integration.

Maritime Trade

Trade conducted over ocean and sea routes, particularly significant in the Indian Ocean for its efficiency and capability to carry bulk goods.

Bubonic Plague

A devastating global epidemic that originated in the steppes of Central Asia and spread along trade routes, including the Silk Roads.

Compass

An instrument used for navigation, first used directionally by the Song Dynasty around 1000 AD.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used to make astronomical measurements, including locating and predicting the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

Gunpowder

An explosive substance that was spread through trade, notably impacting warfare in various regions.

Champa Rice

A fast-growing rice variety given as tribute to the Song Dynasty, crucial for population growth and agriculture.

Mongol Empire

A vast empire founded by Genghis Khan that became the largest contiguous empire in history, known for its significant cultural and economic exchanges.

Marco Polo

A Venetian merchant and traveler whose writings inspired European exploration and trade routes to Asia.

Neo-confucianism

A philosophical movement that influenced Chinese xenophobia, leading to decreased foreign trade during the Ming Dynasty.

Caravansary

A roadside inn where travelers and merchants can rest and recover from the day's journey, commonly found on trade routes.

Citrus Fruits

Fruits like oranges and lemons that were introduced to Europe from Southeast Asia via trade.

Arab Traders

Merchants from Arab regions who played a significant role in transmitting goods and ideas across regions, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

Lateen Sails

Triangular sails that allowed ships to sail efficiently against the wind, significantly enhancing maritime trade.