Ancient Trade Routes and Dynasties

The Qin Dynasty

  • Great Wall of China begun to protect from northern invaders.
  • Unified China: standardized currency, weights, writing, and measurements.
  • Built roads and canals for improved communication and transportation.
  • Followed Legalism: strict laws and harsh punishments.
  • Downfall due to harsh rule, resentment, and rebellions.

The Han Dynasty

  • Education valued, especially Confucianism.
  • Government jobs based on merit and exams.
  • Farmers, artisans, and merchants contributed to the economy.
  • Confucian values emphasized respect, education, and ethical rule.
  • Invention of paper improved education and record-keeping.
  • Innovations: seismograph and improved farming tools.
  • Silk Road trade: silk, jade, spices exchanged for horses, glassware.

The Silk Road

  • Vast trade network connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
  • Began during the Han Dynasty.
  • Traded silk, spices, jewels, glassware, wool, gold, ivory.
  • Geographic connections through deserts, mountains, and cities like Samarkand and Baghdad.
  • Merchants traveled in caravans.
  • Cultural exchange: spread of ideas, religions (Buddhism and Islam), technologies, and languages.

The Trans-Saharan Trade

  • Camels essential for desert travel.
  • Berber guides navigated routes.
  • Gold from West Africa and salt from the Sahara were valuable trade goods.
  • Linked West Africa with North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
  • Spread of Islam led to Islamic culture, architecture, and education in West Africa.

The Incense Trade Route

  • Frankincense (resin from trees) used in religious rituals, perfumes, and medicine.
  • Connected southern Arabia with Africa, India, and the Mediterranean.
  • Spread Arabian goods and culture.
  • Cultural exchange: languages, beliefs, and styles of art and architecture.
  • Influenced by Greek, Roman, African, and Persian civilizations.
  • Difficult due to desert terrain, heat, and distance; caravans and forts essential.
  • Profits made cities wealthy and cosmopolitan; encouraged writing, architecture, and political alliances.