APW - Silk Roads 2.1

2.1

What were the Silk Roads?

A network of trade routes connecting Asia to Europe, opened under the Han Dynasty around 130 B.C.E.

What led to the revival of the Silk Roads in the 8th and 9th centuries?

Increased demand for luxury items, safety of caravans, and the introduction of Chinese paper money.

How did the Crusades influence trade with the East?

They increased European interest in Eastern goods like silk, tea, and rhubarb, while Asia sought gold and silver.

Which empire revived the land Silk Road trade routes after the fall of the Roman and Han empires?

The Abbasid Empire, through Arab merchants.

What inventions did Tang China contribute to the Silk Roads?

The compass, paper, and gunpowder, marking a second golden age of the Silk Roads.

What were the main exports and imports of China during the Silk Roads period?

China exported porcelain, tea, and silk, while importing cotton, precious stones, pomegranates, dates, grapes, and horses.

What significant event occurred in 1258 regarding the Mongol Empire?

The Mongol Empire conquered the Abbasid Caliphate, unifying the Silk Road under a single authority that respected merchants.

What improvements in transportation technologies contributed to the growth of exchange networks?

Increased caravans, saddles for camels, and advancements like the magnetic compass and improved naval ships.

What role did cities like Kashgar and Samarkand play in the Silk Roads?

They were key trade centers, with Kashgar being a hub for Islamic scholarship and Samarkand known for its diverse cultural artifacts.

What is a caravanserai?

Roadside settlements or inns providing safety and shelter for travelers, typically located every 100 miles along trade routes.

What was 'flying cash' in the context of commercial innovations?

A system of credit allowing merchants to deposit paper money in one location and withdraw it in another, facilitating trade.

What was the Hanseatic League?

A commercial alliance between cities in northern Germany and Scandinavia that controlled trade in the North and Baltic Sea.

What was the impact of increased demand for luxury goods on China?

It led to proto-industrialization in China, as demand for items like silk and textiles surged.

What geographical challenges did the Silk Roads face?

The routes passed through hot and arid lands where water was scarce, necessitating strategic locations for trade.

What was the significance of the city of Cambalec according to Francesco Pegolotti?

It was a major trading city with a vast amount of commerce, noted for its safety and size.

What were the effects of the growth of exchange networks on urban development?

The establishment of cities and oases along trade routes, which became centers of culture and commerce.

How did the Mongol Empire improve trade safety?

By enforcing laws, improving roads, and punishing bandits, which enhanced the security of trade routes.

What was the role of luxury items in the growth of exchange networks?

The demand for luxury goods spurred increased trade activity and economic growth along the Silk Roads.