OVERALL REVIEW - UNIT 2

Networks of Exchange 🌐

The AP World History period from 1200 to 1450 saw the expansion of various networks of exchange, which not only facilitated economic interaction but also cultural diffusion and transfers. These networks were not just limited to trading routes, but also involved the exchange of religion, languages, and technology.

General Developments Among Networks of Exchange

The following developments apply to all major networks of exchange:

• Geographical Expansion: The geographical range of all networks expanded from 1200 to 1450.

• Innovations in Commercial Practices and Technological Innovations: The range of these networks expanded due to innovations in commercial practices and technological innovations.

• Wealth and Power: The increased connectivity between these places caused various states to grow wealthy and powerful due to their participation in these networks.

• Rise and Fall of States: The increased interconnectivity caused the rise of powerful states and cities while also causing the collapse of others.

The Silk Road 🐫

The Silk Road was a network of exchange that stretched across Eurasia, mainly trading luxury goods such as Chinese silk and porcelain.

Characteristics of the Silk Road

• Luxury Goods: The Silk Road merchants specialized in trading luxury goods due to the high cost and arduous nature of travel.

• Expansion: The expansion of these routes during this period reflected the growing demand for these luxury items.

• Innovations: The expansion of the Silk Road was facilitated by innovations in transportation technologies and commercial practices.

Innovations in Transportation Technologies

Innovations in Commercial Practices

The Rise of Powerful Trading Cities

• Kashgar: A city located at the convergence of two major routes of the Silk Roads, which grew in power and wealth due to its strategic location.

The Indian Ocean Network 🌊

The Indian Ocean Network was a maritime trade network that existed for centuries before 1200, but expanded significantly during this period.

Characteristics of the Indian Ocean Network

• Monsoon Winds: Indian Ocean merchants developed an understanding of monsoon winds, which enabled them to navigate the ocean.

• Common Goods: A large bulk of what was traded along these routes included common goods like textiles and spices, as well as luxury goods.

Innovations in Technological Innovations

The Indian Ocean network was a major trade route that connected various regions, including East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This network was facilitated by innovations in ship design, such as the Chinese junk, which allowed for massive cargo holds and efficient transportation of goods.

Key Players

• Swahili city states: A collection of independent city states along Africa's east coast that acted as brokers for goods originating from the African interior.

• Muslim merchants: Played a significant role in the expansion of the Indian Ocean network and the spread of Islam.

Effects of the Indian Ocean Network

• Diasporic communities: Settlements of ethnic people in a location other than their homeland. For example, Arab and Persian communities were established in East Africa, leading to intermarriage and cultural exchange.

• Spread of Islam: The Indian Ocean network facilitated the spread of Islam, particularly in East Africa.

• Emergence of new languages: The Indian Ocean network led to the emergence of new languages, such as Swahili, which began as a mixture of native Bantu languages and Arabic words.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network 🐫

The trans-Saharan trade network was a major trade route that connected West Africa to the Mediterranean region. This network was facilitated by innovations in transportation technologies, such as the new and improved camel saddle.

Key Players

• Empire of Mali: A powerful empire that grew wealthy through the trade of gold and taxation of merchants.

• Mansa Musa: A leader of the Empire of Mali who further monopolized trade between the north and the interior of the continent.

Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Wealth and power: Participation in the trans-Saharan trade network led to the increasing wealth and power of various states, including the Empire of Mali.

• Spread of Islam: The trans-Saharan trade network facilitated the spread of Islam, particularly in West Africa.

Consequences of Connectivity 🌐

The increasing connectivity between regions during this period had significant cultural and environmental consequences.

Cultural Consequences

• Transfer of religion or belief systems: The spread of Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism across various regions.

• Literary and artistic transfers: The transfer of Greek and Roman classics into Arabic and the development of new philosophical and medical practices.

• Scientific and technological innovation: The transfer of gunpowder from China to Muslim empires and Eastern European states.

Environmental Consequences

• Transfer of crops: The transfer of Champa rice from the Champa Kingdom to China, leading to increased food production and population growth.

• Transfer of diseases: The spread of the bubonic plague from China to the Middle East and Europe, facilitated by trade routes and the Mongol empire.

The Mongol Empire 🐴

The Mongol empire played a significant role in the spread of diseases, including the bubonic plague, and the transfer of scientific and technological innovations.

"A diasporic community is a settlement of ethnic people in a location other than their homeland."## The Mongol Empire 🏹️

Key Facts About the Mongols

To understand the significance of the Mongol Empire, it's essential to know the following three key facts:

• The Mongols established the largest land-based empire in history, replacing powerful empires across Eurasia.

• Under Mongol rule, networks of exchange increased significantly, facilitating international trade and cultural transfer.

• The Mongols facilitated technological and cultural transfer, including the transfer of Greek and Islamic medical knowledge to Western Europe and the adoption of the Uyghur script.

The Mongol Empire's Expansion

By the second half of the 14th century, the Mongols ruled the entire area through 4 khanates, which are states ruled by the Khan.

The Pax Mongolica 🌎

The Mongols' control of the Silk Roads led to increased trade and cultural exchange. Although the Mongols themselves did not produce sellable goods or participate in long-distance trade, they:

• Encouraged international trade by paying high prices for goods from other countries

• Increased the safety of merchants making long treks across trading routes

This led to an unprecedented increase in communication and cooperation across the empire, with:

• Persian and Chinese courts worked together and exchanged emissaries and artisans

• Increased trade between both sides of the Mongol empire, resulting in wealth for both parties

Technological and Cultural Transfer 📚

The Mongols facilitated significant technological and cultural transfer, including:

• The transfer of Greek and Islamic medical knowledge to Western Europe

• The adoption of the Uyghur script, which became the common language of policy and diplomacy in exchange across the empire

"The Mongols created the conditions for the transfer of knowledge and ideas across vast distances, facilitating a cultural and technological exchange that had a profound impact on world history."

THE SILK ROADS - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 1)

The Silk Roads 🌏

The Silk Roads were a vast network of roads and trails that facilitated trade and the spread of culture and ideas across Eurasia in and before the period 1200 to 1450.

Cultural Diffusion: The exchange of cultural traits, ideas, and innovations between different societies.

Causes of the Expansion of the Silk Roads

The Silk Roads expanded during this period due to innovations in commercial practices and transportation technologies.

Innovations in Commercial Practices

Innovations in Transportation Technologies

Effects of the Expansion of the Silk Roads

The expansion of the Silk Roads had significant effects on the economy, culture, and population of the regions involved.

Rise of Powerful Trading Cities

Increased Demand for Luxury Goods

The growth of trade along the Silk Roads led to an increased demand for luxury goods, such as Chinese silk and porcelain.

Cultural Diffusion

The expansion of the Silk Roads facilitated the spread of culture, ideas, and innovations between different societies, including the spread of religions such as Islam and Buddhism.

Industrialization

The shift to producing more luxury goods for sale in distant markets led to the conditions for industrialization in China, with the production of more goods than the population could consume, and the reinvestment of profits into growing industries such as iron and steel.

OVERALL REVIEW - UNIT 2

Networks of Exchange 🌐

The AP World History period from 1200 to 1450 saw the expansion of various networks of exchange, which not only facilitated economic interaction but also cultural diffusion and transfers. These networks were not just limited to trading routes, but also involved the exchange of religion, languages, and technology.

General Developments Among Networks of Exchange

The following developments apply to all major networks of exchange:

• Geographical Expansion: The geographical range of all networks expanded from 1200 to 1450.

• Innovations in Commercial Practices and Technological Innovations: The range of these networks expanded due to innovations in commercial practices and technological innovations.

• Wealth and Power: The increased connectivity between these places caused various states to grow wealthy and powerful due to their participation in these networks.

• Rise and Fall of States: The increased interconnectivity caused the rise of powerful states and cities while also causing the collapse of others.

The Silk Road 🐫

The Silk Road was a network of exchange that stretched across Eurasia, mainly trading luxury goods such as Chinese silk and porcelain.

Characteristics of the Silk Road

• Luxury Goods: The Silk Road merchants specialized in trading luxury goods due to the high cost and arduous nature of travel.

• Expansion: The expansion of these routes during this period reflected the growing demand for these luxury items.

• Innovations: The expansion of the Silk Road was facilitated by innovations in transportation technologies and commercial practices.

Innovations in Transportation Technologies

Innovations in Commercial Practices

The Rise of Powerful Trading Cities

• Kashgar: A city located at the convergence of two major routes of the Silk Roads, which grew in power and wealth due to its strategic location.

The Indian Ocean Network 🌊

The Indian Ocean Network was a maritime trade network that existed for centuries before 1200, but expanded significantly during this period.

Characteristics of the Indian Ocean Network

• Monsoon Winds: Indian Ocean merchants developed an understanding of monsoon winds, which enabled them to navigate the ocean.

• Common Goods: A large bulk of what was traded along these routes included common goods like textiles and spices, as well as luxury goods.

Innovations in Technological Innovations

The Indian Ocean network was a major trade route that connected various regions, including East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This network was facilitated by innovations in ship design, such as the Chinese junk, which allowed for massive cargo holds and efficient transportation of goods.

Key Players

• Swahili city states: A collection of independent city states along Africa's east coast that acted as brokers for goods originating from the African interior.

• Muslim merchants: Played a significant role in the expansion of the Indian Ocean network and the spread of Islam.

Effects of the Indian Ocean Network

• Diasporic communities: Settlements of ethnic people in a location other than their homeland. For example, Arab and Persian communities were established in East Africa, leading to intermarriage and cultural exchange.

• Spread of Islam: The Indian Ocean network facilitated the spread of Islam, particularly in East Africa.

• Emergence of new languages: The Indian Ocean network led to the emergence of new languages, such as Swahili, which began as a mixture of native Bantu languages and Arabic words.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network 🐫

The trans-Saharan trade network was a major trade route that connected West Africa to the Mediterranean region. This network was facilitated by innovations in transportation technologies, such as the new and improved camel saddle.

Key Players

• Empire of Mali: A powerful empire that grew wealthy through the trade of gold and taxation of merchants.

• Mansa Musa: A leader of the Empire of Mali who further monopolized trade between the north and the interior of the continent.

Effects of the Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Wealth and power: Participation in the trans-Saharan trade network led to the increasing wealth and power of various states, including the Empire of Mali.

• Spread of Islam: The trans-Saharan trade network facilitated the spread of Islam, particularly in West Africa.

Consequences of Connectivity 🌐

The increasing connectivity between regions during this period had significant cultural and environmental consequences.

Cultural Consequences

• Transfer of religion or belief systems: The spread of Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism across various regions.

• Literary and artistic transfers: The transfer of Greek and Roman classics into Arabic and the development of new philosophical and medical practices.

• Scientific and technological innovation: The transfer of gunpowder from China to Muslim empires and Eastern European states.

Environmental Consequences

• Transfer of crops: The transfer of Champa rice from the Champa Kingdom to China, leading to increased food production and population growth.

• Transfer of diseases: The spread of the bubonic plague from China to the Middle East and Europe, facilitated by trade routes and the Mongol empire.

The Mongol Empire 🐴

The Mongol empire played a significant role in the spread of diseases, including the bubonic plague, and the transfer of scientific and technological innovations.

"A diasporic community is a settlement of ethnic people in a location other than their homeland."## The Mongol Empire 🏹️

Key Facts About the Mongols

To understand the significance of the Mongol Empire, it's essential to know the following three key facts:

• The Mongols established the largest land-based empire in history, replacing powerful empires across Eurasia.

• Under Mongol rule, networks of exchange increased significantly, facilitating international trade and cultural transfer.

• The Mongols facilitated technological and cultural transfer, including the transfer of Greek and Islamic medical knowledge to Western Europe and the adoption of the Uyghur script.

The Mongol Empire's Expansion

By the second half of the 14th century, the Mongols ruled the entire area through 4 khanates, which are states ruled by the Khan.

The Pax Mongolica 🌎

The Mongols' control of the Silk Roads led to increased trade and cultural exchange. Although the Mongols themselves did not produce sellable goods or participate in long-distance trade, they:

• Encouraged international trade by paying high prices for goods from other countries

• Increased the safety of merchants making long treks across trading routes

This led to an unprecedented increase in communication and cooperation across the empire, with:

• Persian and Chinese courts worked together and exchanged emissaries and artisans

• Increased trade between both sides of the Mongol empire, resulting in wealth for both parties

Technological and Cultural Transfer 📚

The Mongols facilitated significant technological and cultural transfer, including:

• The transfer of Greek and Islamic medical knowledge to Western Europe

• The adoption of the Uyghur script, which became the common language of policy and diplomacy in exchange across the empire

"The Mongols created the conditions for the transfer of knowledge and ideas across vast distances, facilitating a cultural and technological exchange that had a profound impact on world history."

THE MONGOLS - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 2)

The Mongol Empire 🏹️

The Birth of Temujin

Temujin, also known as Chinggis Khan, was born in the late 12th century in the Gobi Desert. According to legend, he was born holding a giant blood clot in his fist, which was a sign of his future greatness.

The Mongol Culture

The Mongols were pastoral nomads, meaning they were traveling people who moved from place to place depending on the season. This lifestyle allowed them to develop unique skills and strategies that would later contribute to their military success.

The Rise of Chinggis Khan

Temujin united the various Mongol groups under himself in 1206 and assumed the title Chinggis Khan. He then began to expand his empire, conquering northern China, central Asia, and southern Russia.

Military Organization and Tactics

The Mongols' military organization was a key factor in their success. They were organized into groups of 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000, making it easy to control and command their forces. They also had superior weaponry, including a larger bow that could shoot arrows from a greater distance.

The Pax Mongolica

Despite their brutal rise to power, the Mongols were relatively peaceful once they had established their empire. This period of peace is known as the Pax Mongolica.

Economic Situation Under Mongol Rule

The Mongols improved the structure of the places they ruled by building bridges and repairing roads, which facilitated trade. The Silk Roads, a network of trade routes that connected Europe and Asia, were never more organized and prosperous than they were under Mongol rule.

Cultural Transfers

The Mongols had a high opinion of intellectuals and skilled artisans, and they often spared their lives during conquests. This led to the transfer of technology, ideas, and culture across Eurasia.

The Decline of the Mongol Empire

The Mongol empire fell out of power as quickly as it rose to power. However, their legacy lived on, paving the way for the rise of the modern world.

"The Mongols facilitated loads of cultural transfers across many parts of Eurasia, despite their brutal rise to power."

THE INDIAN OCEAN TRADE NETWORKS - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 3)

🌊 Indian Ocean Trade Network

Definition

The Indian Ocean trade refers to a network of sea routes that connected the various states throughout Afro Eurasia through trade.

Causes of Expansion

The Indian Ocean trade network expanded significantly during the 14th century due to four main causes:

• Collapse of the Mongol Empire: The decline of the Mongol Empire led to a decrease in the safety and ease of travel along the Silk Roads, resulting in a greater emphasis on maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

• Innovations in Commercial Practices: The use of money economies and the ability to buy goods on credit made trade easier and increased the use of these routes.

• Innovations in Transportation Technologies: Improvements in navigation technologies, such as the magnetic compass and astrolabe, and the increasing use of the Latin sail, allowed ships to travel more efficiently.

• Increasing Spread of Islam: Islam facilitated increased trade along sea-based routes, as it was a belief system that was friendly to merchants.

Transportation Technologies

Goods Traded

• Luxury goods, such as spices and textiles

• Common items, such as cotton textiles and grains, which could be shipped and sold in bulk due to the increasing size of trading ships

Effects of Expansion

Growth of Powerful Trading Cities

• Swahili City States: Located on the east coast of Africa, these states grew powerful and wealthy due to their strategic location and participation in the Indian Ocean trade.

• Malacca: The capital city of the Sultanate of Malacca, which controlled the Strait of Malacca and taxed ships passing through its waters.

• Gujarat: A state on India's west coast, which traded goods like cotton textiles and indigo in exchange for gold and silver.

Establishment of Diaspora Communities

• Diaspora: A group of people from one place who establish a home in another place while retaining their cultural customs.

• Examples:

  • Chinese merchants established permanent communities in Southeast Asia.

  • Arab and Persian merchants established permanent communities in East Africa.

Cultural and Technological Transfers

• Merchants brought their religion, language, and technology with them as they traveled, influencing the cultures they interacted with.

• Example: Admiral Zheng He's fleet introduced gunpowder cannons to various regions, which were later adopted.

Key Figure: Admiral Zheng He

• Commissioned by China's Ming dynasty to explore the Indian Ocean and enroll other states in China's tributary system.

• Led a fleet of over 300 ships with crews totaling more than 27,000 men.

• Introduced gunpowder cannons and state-led trade partnerships to various regions.

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  THE TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE NETWORKS - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 4)

  🏜 The Trans Saharan Trade Network

  The Trans Saharan trade network was a series of trade routes that connected North Africa and the Mediterranean world with interior West Africa and to some degree the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

  Causes of Expansion

  The expansion of the Trans Saharan network was caused by innovations in transportation technologies. The introduction of the Arabian camel around 1000 years before the period began was a significant turning point. In the period, the use of camel saddles for riding and carrying bigger loads of merchandise became more widespread.

  Infrastructure Development

  The establishment of caravanserais along the routes also facilitated the expansion of the network. Caravanserais were:

  "Little rest stops along the trade routes where merchants can rest and sleep and eat."

  Trade Goods

  Various regions exported different goods, including:

  • Gold

  • Crops (e.g. kola nuts, a source of post-classical caffeine)

  • Horses

  • Salt (in high demand across the continent)

  Regional Specialization

  Each region specialized in creating and growing different goods, creating demand for trade with other regions.

  Rise of Powerful States

  The expansion of the Trans Saharan network led to the rise and expansion of powerful states, including the Empire of Mali.

  Empire of Mali

  The Empire of Mali was established in the 13th century, and its conversion to Islam connected it to economic trade partnerships throughout Dar al Islam. This led to significant wealth and power for Mali.

  		Empire of MaliSultanate of Malacca
  Location	West Africa	Indian Ocean
  Trade Route	Trans Saharan	Indian Ocean trade
  Source of Power	Control of strategic points along trade routes	Control of strategic points along trade routes
  Wealth	Export of gold, taxation of merchants	Export of goods, taxation of merchants

  Mansa Musa

  Mansa Musa, the most powerful and influential ruler of Mali, exemplified the empire's wealth. His pilgrimage to Mecca and stop in Egypt injected so much gold into the Egyptian economy that the value of existing gold plummeted.

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  CULTURAL EFFECTS OF CONNECTIVITY - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 5)

🌎 Cultural Diffusion and Exchange

Cultural diffusion is the exchange of ideas and cultural traits between different societies. This process occurred extensively during the period 1200 to 1450, as merchants and travelers spread throughout the world, bringing their culture and technology with them.

"Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultural traits, such as ideas, values, and technologies, are transmitted from one society to another."

There are three categories of cultural transfers that occurred during this period:

1. Significant Cultural Transfers along Trading Routes

• The spread of belief systems, such as Buddhism and Islam, along trade routes like the Silk Roads.

• The blending of ideas, known as syncretism, resulting in new forms of Buddhism, such as Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan.

2. Literary and Artistic Transfers

• The translation and commentary of classical Greek and Roman works by Muslim scholars at Baghdad's House of Wisdom.

• The transfer of these works to Southern Europe, contributing to the Renaissance.

3. Scientific and Technological Innovations

• The spread of Chinese paper making technology and movable type to Europe.

• The spread of gunpowder from China to Islamic empires and European states.

🏙 The Rise and Fall of Cities

The increasing connectivity during this period led to the rise and fall of cities.

Rising Cities

• Hangzhou, China: situated at the southern end of the Grand Canal, became one of China's most significant trading cities.

• Samarkand and Kashgar: located along strategic routes on the Silk Roads, grew in power and influence by facilitating trade.

Declining Cities

• Baghdad: sacked by the Mongols in 1258, leading to a significant decline.

• Constantinople: sacked by the Ottoman Empire in 1453, renamed Istanbul.

🗺 Interregional Travel

The increasing safety and security of trade routes facilitated interregional travel.

Notable Travelers

• Ibn Battuta: a young Muslim scholar from Morocco, traveled throughout Dar al Islam and wrote detailed notes about the places he visited.

• Marco Polo: a European traveler, traveled from Italy to China and wrote about his experiences in the Chinese court of Kublai Khan.

• Marjorie Kemp: a Christian mystic, made pilgrimage to Christianity's most holy sites in Jerusalem, Rome, and Spain, and dictated her observations to others.

• ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF CONNECTIVITY - UNIT 2 (TOPIC 6)

Environmental Consequences of Global Trade (1200-1450) 🌎

Agricultural Transfers

Agricultural transfers refer to the introduction of new crops to various regions through trade connections. This had significant effects on the diets and population growth of the regions involved.

Bananas in Africa 🍌

• Bananas were first domesticated in Southeast Asia, but were introduced to Africa through merchants crossing the Indian Ocean.

• The lush rain forests in Sub-Saharan Africa provided prime conditions for the flourishing of bananas.

• The introduction of bananas expanded the diets of the people, leading to population growth.

• The Bantu-speaking people were able to migrate to new areas, as bananas provided a reliable source of food in areas where their traditional staple, the yam, could not grow.

Champa Rice in East Asia 🍚

Citrus Fruits in Europe 🍊

• Citrus fruits like sour oranges and limes were introduced to Europe by Muslim traders through the Mediterranean trade routes.

• These fruits spread throughout Europe and North Africa, providing more variation in diets and improving health.

The Spread of Disease 🤢

The Bubonic Plague 🐀

"The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, was a pandemic that devastated Europe and other parts of the world in the 14th century. It was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas that lived on rats and other rodents."

• The Mongols played a significant role in the spread of the plague, as their conquests increased the pace and volume of trade, allowing the disease to spread rapidly across the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade routes.

• The plague had a devastating effect on the population, killing nearly a third of the population in the Middle East and half the population in parts of Europe.

Effects of the Plague 📊

The consequences of connectivity during this period were significant, whether it was the transfer of crops or the spread of disease.