Part 1 AP World History: Silk Roads, Trade, and the Mongol Empire

Flashcards covering trade developments on the Silk Roads, financial innovations, urbanization, and the origin, expansion, tactics, succession, and cultural transfers of the Mongol Empire.

How did the Mongol Empire contribute to the revival and growth of the Silk Roads?

The Mongols unified warring, fragmented territory under one empire, protected merchants, reopened trade roads, and invested in infrastructure.

Which luxury goods and commodities spread across trade routes according to the lecture notes?

Cotton, silk, porcelain, fruit, gunpowder, tea, spices, and paper.

What religions spread along the Silk Roads?

Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism.

Where did the Bubonic Plague originate, how did it spread to Europe, and what was its casualty count?

The Bubonic Plague originated in Central Asia, spread to Europe through Silk Road trade routes, and killed over $50\text{ million}$ people.

What commercial advantages did paper money offer over metal coins for merchants?

Paper money replaced heavy metal coins, making it much easier for merchants to travel long distances.

What was the purpose of Banking Houses along trade routes?

They allowed merchants to deposit and withdraw money at different locations.

What was a Bill of Exchange?

A piece of paper that guaranteed the holder a set amount of money on a certain date.

What was the evolutionary sequence of money economies starting from barter systems?

Barter economies \rightarrow standard form of currency (Cowrie shells \rightarrow Metal Coins \rightarrow Paper money).

What three transportation advancements facilitated longer sea voyages and larger cargo shipments?

The Chinese magnetic compass (longer sea voyages), the improved rudder (longer sea voyages), and the Junk ship (hauled large cargo through rough waters).

What were Caravanserai, and where were they primarily located?

They were desert rest stops or "pit stops" where traveling merchants could rest and restock before heading back out. They were located mostly in the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts.

Why were Samarkand and Kashgar important stopping points along the Silk Roads?

Their proximity to water made them essential stopping points for merchants, causing them to become culturally diverse with many active religions and experience growth directly tied to the Silk Roads.

How did increased demand for silk and porcelain affect production and urbanization in China?

Rising demand led to larger scale production in China, causing workers to move into denser cities.

Which major urban centers grew significantly as a result of increased production and trade?

Hangzhou, Malacca, Timbuktu, Samarkand, Constantinople, and Damascus.

Who united the warring Mongol tribes in 1206, and what title was he given?

Temüjin, who earned the title Genghis Khan (meaning "ruler of all").

How did seasonal changes dictate the nomadic movements of Mongol herders?

They moved to flat land in the spring (when animals were weak from winter) and to higher, windier land in the summer.

How was the Mongol military structured in terms of leadership and meritocracy?

Advancement and leadership promotions were based on ability (meritocracy) rather than birth or wealth—paralleling China's Civil Services—and army units were largely autonomous.

What superior military tactics contributed to the success of the Mongol army?

Skilled horsemen using back-up horses for rest, superior mounted archery bows, rapid hit-and-run tactics, and careful planning and intelligence gathering.

What psychological warfare methods did the Mongols use to induce surrender?

They mounted dummies on spare horses to exaggerate army size, dragged branches to kick up massive dust clouds, and killed resisting town members while letting a few escape to spread terror.

How did the Mongols adapt captured expertise to enhance their military capabilities?

They used conquered engineers, especially Chinese engineers, to build new weapons on the spot.

What three major factors motivated Mongol expansion?

Environmental factors (lower temperatures, less grass, shorter growing season threatening nomadic life), trade issues (Jin and Xia Dynasties in China cutting trade), and Genghis's belief that his sky god ordered him to unite the world.

What was the chain of rulers after Genghis Khan died in 1227 up to the last ruler of the unified empire?

Genghis Khan (died 1227) \rightarrow Ogedei Khan (formally took power in 1229) \rightarrow Töregene Khatun \rightarrow Güyük Khan \rightarrow Oghul Daimish \rightarrow Möngke Khan (last ruler of unified empire).

What caused the Mongol Empire to split into four distinct khanates?

Rapid turnover of power fueled succession struggles that split the empire into four separately governed khanates that remained part of a broader empire and shared goals.

What was Pax Mongolica and what cultural transfers took place during this period?

Pax Mongolica was a peaceful period of unified territory from the Pacific to Eastern Europe. Trade flourished on newly safe Silk Roads, allowing new number systems, medical, and scientific knowledge to spread from East Asia and the Middle East to Europe.

How did the Mongols utilize religious tolerance during their conquests?

They tolerated and often adopted local religions, turning tolerance into a tool for conquest and spreading religion. Yuan Dynasty Mongols were especially drawn to Tibetan Buddhism.

Why did the Mongols adopt the old Uyghur script?

Because the Mongols lacked a native writing system, so they adopted the Uyghur script after conquering them, making it a major writing system during Pax Mongolica.

Which states fell to the Mongols, and which states rose after the Mongols?

Fell to Mongols: Western Xia Empire, Jin Dynasty, Southern Song Dynasty, Khwarazmian Empire, Kievan Rus', Abbasid Caliphate, Seljuk Empire, Volga Bulgaria. Rose after Mongols: Ming Dynasty, Mughal Empire, Goryeo Dynasty, Ottoman Empire, Timurid Dynasty, Russian Empire.