The Silk Roads: Causes and Effects of Growth (After 1200)

Explain the causes and effects of the growth of networks of exchange after 1200.

The Crusades: European Christians encountered and brought back Asian luxury goods (silk, porcelain, spices), increasing demand.
The Mongol Empire: Unified a vast territory in the 13th century, creating safer and more accessible overland trade routes, which they actively supported and improved.
Increased Demand for Luxury Goods: Afro-Eurasian upper classes sought exotic goods not locally produced, driving up trade volume for items like Chinese silk/porcelain/tea and Indian/Persian textiles.
Technological Advancements & Improved Commercial Practices:
- Commercial Practices: Adoption of paper money, development of banking houses (offering deposit/withdrawal services and bills of exchange).
- Transportation Technology: Innovations like the magnetic compass, improved rudder, and larger Junk Ships for maritime routes. On land, the development of Caravanserai served as essential 'pit stops' for merchants.

Emergence of New Trading Cities and Oases: Cities like Kashgar and Samarkand grew significantly due to their strategic locations, becoming culturally diverse hubs.
Diffusion of Goods, Beliefs, and Disease:
- Goods: Extensive spread of commodities (e.g., silk, porcelain, tea, cotton, gunpowder) across Afro-Eurasia.
- Beliefs: Facilitated the spread of religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity.
- Disease: Contributed to the spread of diseases, notably the Bubonic Plague (Black Death).
Development of Money Economies: Transition from barter systems to standardized currencies (e.g., metal coins, paper money from the Yuan Dynasty).
Increased Production and Urbanization:
- Commercialization: Boosted production for profit, leading to more efficient manufacturing and distribution systems.
- Urbanization: Supported the growth of dense urban centers (e.g., Hangzhou, Malacca, Timbuktu, Constantinople), which imported food and exported manufactured goods.