AP World UNIT 2 REVIEW (Everything you NEED to KNOW!)

Overview

  • Time Period: 1200 to 1450

  • Focus: Interconnectedness of states through networks of exchange (rather than just trade routes)

  • Impact: Not only economic interaction but also cultural diffusion and transfers.

Major Networks of Exchange

Silk Roads

  • Geographical Scope: Spanned across Eurasia.

  • Types of Goods: Primarily luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain).

  • Reason for Luxury Trade: High costs and dangers of long-distance travel; merchants carried valuable items for higher profit.

  • Increased Production: Goods produced more for distant markets; example: Yi River delta peasants focused on luxury goods over staple food production.

Indian Ocean Network

  • Geographical Scope: Maritime trade route expanded significantly during 1200-1450.

  • Types of Goods: More common goods traded (e.g., textiles, spices) in addition to luxury items.

  • Technological Understanding: Use of monsoon winds facilitated sailing direction.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

  • Geographical Scope: Network expanded during the same period, particularly in North Africa.

  • Innovations: New camel saddles allowed for higher cargo transport.

  • Key Empire: Empire of Mali became highly influential through taxation and trade.

General Developments in Networks of Exchange

  1. Expanded Geographical Range: All networks grew in scale, leading to greater global connections.

  2. Innovations: Technological and commercial innovations improved trade efficiency.

  3. Wealth Accumulation: Greater wealth for states participating in these networks.

  4. Rise and Fall of States: Powerful states emerged while others collapsed due to increased connectivity.

Distinct Features of Each Network

Silk Roads

  • Trade City: Kashgar grew in wealth and power due to its strategic location.

  • Caravanserai: Inns provided safety and a hub for cultural exchange among diverse merchants.

  • Commercial Innovations:

    • Money Economy: Introduction of paper money facilitated trade (known as "flying money").

    • Credit Systems: Development of banking houses and bills of exchange.

Indian Ocean Network

  • Technological Innovations:

    • Magnetic Compass: Enhanced navigation at sea.

    • Astrolabe: Allowed calculation of latitude/longitude.

    • Ship Designs: Improved cargo capacities with vessels like the Chinese junk.

  • Key City-States: Swahili city-states brokered trade, connecting to larger Muslim trading networks.

  • Cultural Changes: Formation of diaspora communities, example: intermarriage of Arab traders with local East African populations.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

  • Camel Saddles: Made long-distance trade more feasible.

  • Prominent Figure: Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire, who increased wealth through gold trade and Islamic connections.

Cultural and Environmental Consequences of Increased Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

  1. Transfer of Religions: Example: Buddhism spread into China via the Silk Roads.

  2. Literary and Artistic Transfers: Translations of Greek and Roman texts influenced the Renaissance in Europe (via Muslim scholars).

  3. Scientific and Technological Transfer: Notable transfer of gunpowder from China to the rest of the world.

Environmental Consequences

  1. Crop Transfers: Introduction of Champa rice in China increased food production and population growth.

  2. Disease Transfers: The Bubonic plague spread through trading routes; catastrophic impact on populations.

The Mongol Empire's Role in Connectivity

  1. Empire Expansion: The largest land-based empire in history, impacting the Silk Roads profoundly.

  2. Increased Networks of Exchange: Provided safety for trade, led to heightened international trade.

  3. Cultural and Technological Transfers: Adoption of Uighur script and transfer of Greek and Islamic knowledge to Europe.