AP World Unit 2 Networks of Exchange

1200-1450

What were the main causes of the growth of trade networks between 1200 and 1450?

Demand for luxury goods, improved transportation and commercial technologies, and the rise of powerful states like the Mongol Empire.

What were the main effects of growing trade networks during 1200–1450?

Spread of religion, technology, and diseases; rise of trading cities; cultural diffusion.

What were the Silk Roads and why were they significant?

The Silk Roads were a network of overland trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. They flourished from c. 1200–1450 due to Mongol protection, demand for luxury goods (like silk and porcelain), and innovations like caravanserai and paper money. The Silk Roads facilitated cultural diffusion, including the spread of religions, technologies, and the bubonic plague.

What was the Indian Ocean trade network and why was it significant?

The Indian Ocean trade network was a major sea-based exchange system connecting East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It flourished from c. 1200–1450 due to monsoon wind knowledge, Islamic merchant activity, and maritime technologies like the lateen sail and astrolabe. It facilitated the spread of goods (spices, textiles, ivory), people (diasporic communities), and culture (especially Islam).

What was the Mongol Empire and why was it significant?

The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous land empire in history, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. It united much of Eurasia through military conquest and created the Pax Mongolica, a period of peace that promoted trade, communication, and cultural exchange across the Silk Roads. The empire encouraged religious tolerance, revived trade routes, and unintentionally spread the Black Death.

What was the Trans-Saharan trade network and why was it significant?

The Trans-Saharan trade network connected North Africa with Sub-Saharan West Africa across the Sahara Desert. It flourished between c. 1200–1450, driven by the use of camels and saddle technology. Key goods included gold, salt, ivory, and enslaved people. It led to the rise of powerful West African empires like Mali, helped spread Islam, and turned cities like Timbuktu into cultural and intellectual hubs.

What was the Mongol Empire's role in expanding trade?

Unified large regions, improved safety on the Silk Roads, supported merchants, and revived interregional connections.

What technological innovations supported trade on the Silk Roads?

Paper money, caravanserai, banking houses, flying cash, and the bill of exchange.

Which cities flourished due to Silk Road trade?

Kashgar and Samarkand.

What caused trade to expand in the Indian Ocean Basin?

Spread of Islam, monsoon wind knowledge, and innovations like the astrolabe and lateen sail.

What goods were commonly traded in the Indian Ocean network?

Spices, cotton textiles, porcelain, enslaved people, ivory, and gold.

What are diasporic communities and why are they important?

Merchant groups who settled far from home, spreading their culture while adopting local custom

What did Swahili city-states contribute to Indian Ocean trade?

Exported gold, ivory, enslaved people, and imported porcelain and textiles.

Why is Zheng He significant in the context of Indian Ocean trade?

He led Ming China's voyages to assert power and expand trade from East Africa to Southeast Asia.

Why were camels crucial for Trans-Saharan trade?

They could carry up to 600 lbs and survive long desert treks with minimal water.

How did Mali benefit from and contribute to Trans-Saharan trade?

Mali taxed all trade, especially gold and salt, and developed cities like Timbuktu into cultural centers.