Unit 2: Networks of Exchange

Flashcards covering key concepts, innovations, goods, cultural exchanges, and important figures related to the Silk Road, Indian Ocean Trade, and Trans-Saharan Trade Networks from Unit 2 lecture notes.

What were the four major Networks of Exchange discussed in the lecture?

The Indian Ocean Trade, The Trans-Saharan Trade, The Silk Road, and the Mediterranean Trade.

What type of goods were primarily traded along the Silk Road?

Luxury items like Chinese silk and porcelain, Indian cotton, Middle Eastern spices, and African ivory.

Name two transportation innovations that facilitated trade along the Silk Road.

Caravan Serai and saddles.

How did commercial practices evolve to support increased trade on the Silk Road?

Development of money economies (paper money), increasing use of credit (flying money, bills of exchange), and the rise of banks.

What role did the Mongols play in the Silk Road's expansion?

They kept the Silk Road safe for travel and established caravan serais as waypoints, encouraging trade.

What major religion spread from India to China via the Silk Road?

Mahayana Buddhism.

What was a significant negative effect of the Silk Road, particularly facilitated by the Mongols?

The spread of the Bubonic Plague from 1346-1353.

What type of goods were primarily traded along the Indian Ocean Trade routes?

Bulk goods such as African ivory, wood, gold, and animal hides; Indian cloth; Southeast Asian spices and rice; and Chinese porcelain, tea, and silk.

Name three technological innovations that aided Indian Ocean maritime trade.

Harnessing monsoon winds, Chinese Junk Ships, magnetic compass, astrolabe, sternpost rudders, and triangular lanteen sails.

What major religion spread into Southeast Asia and East Africa via the Indian Ocean Trade routes?

Islam.

What goods were primarily traded from West Africa in the Trans-Saharan Trade Network?

Gold, salt, and enslaved people.

What innovation was crucial for increasing cargo capacity in Trans-Saharan trade?

The Arabian Camel and the camel saddle.

Who was Ibn Battuta?

A young Muslim scholar from Morocco who traveled extensively across Dar al-Islam for over 30 years, documenting his experiences.

Who was Mansa Musa?

The wealthy ruler of the Kingdom of Mali who monopolized trade between North and West Africa.

How did increased connectivity between trade networks affect states and cities?

It caused various states and powerful trading cities (like Kashgar and Hangzhou) to grow wealthy and powerful due to their participation in trade, while also causing the collapse of other cities (like Baghdad).

List two examples of cultural transfers due to the Networks of Exchange.

The spread of Buddhism via the Silk Road, the spread of Islam into West and Southeast Africa, and the transfer of Greek and Roman classics into Arabic by Islamic scholars (contributing to the European Renaissance).

What technological innovation, originating in China, spread to Muslim empires and later to Eastern European states through trade networks?

Gunpowder.

What was the overall impact of the Mongol Empire on the networks of exchange?

They established the longest land-based empire, secured the Silk Road, encouraged international trade, and facilitated unprecedented technological and cultural transfers across Eurasia.

What new language emerged in East Africa due to cultural interaction along the Indian Ocean trade routes?

Swahili, which is a blend of native Bantu languages and Arabic.