APMWH 2.1 - 2.4 Heimler

Silk Road Trade Routes

Trade route extending from China to Europe & North Africa.

Impact of Mongol takeover

Flourished: well protected.

Types of goods exchanged on Silk Road

Most luxury goods; silk was very important.

Cultural exchange on Silk Road

Buddhism + other ideas.

Outward change of Buddhism

Monasteries receive gifts.

Inward change of Buddhism

Doctrinal- Mahayana - Buddha became a deity; Zoroastrianism incorporated in Samarkand.

Impact of the Black Death

Killed half of Europe; changed history.

Indian Ocean Trade Route

Trade route extending from China to East Africa.

Types of goods exchanged along Indian Ocean

Common (rice) & luxury (gold); ships can carry a lot.

Monsoon winds

Wind blows different directions; helps with sailing.

Maritime innovations

Compass, astrolabe, and junks (ships).

Growth of Indian Ocean trade

1200~1450 Tang/Song are doing well; rise of Islam ~ connected.

Cultural change examples in Indian Ocean trade

Srivijaya ~ wealthy; dominates trade; Swahili City~States ~ rich through trade.

What was the extent of Trans - Saharan Trade Route

• North Africa to West Africa

Goods produced for trade in North Africa

Cloth, glassware, books.

Goods produced for trade in Southwest Africa

Grain, yams, kola nuts.

Impact of the camel on Trans- Saharan Trade

• Can go up to 10 days without water - crucial for trade

Impact of Trans Saharan trade on Mali

• Created a wealthy trade kingdom; 14 century 

• Class system: 

• Royalty 

• Elite classes

• Merchants 

• Military/ Religious 

• Peasants 

• Slaves 

Mongols

Rose in 13th century; controlled largest land empire; left small cultural footprint.

Temujin

Outcaste; will become Chinggis; charismatic; became chief; fierce attacks.

Chinggis Khan

Attacks China in 1209; fierce attacks.

Mongol tactics

Organized units by 10's; assimilated new troops; brutality and fear.

Mongol approach to religion

Allowed people to keep religion.

Mongol expansion into China

Took 70 years (1209~1279); accommodate local populations; unified China; use existing institutions; become Yuan dynasty.

Mongol expansion into Persia

Lots of slaughter; 1258~200,000 people die; use Persian officials; Mongols before Muslim; eventually they assimilate/disappear there.