Indian Ocean Trade Flashcards

Definition of Indian Ocean Trade

• Network of sea routes connecting various states across Afro-Eurasia.

• Used long before the discussed time period with significant expansion during the specific era.

Causes for Expansion of Indian Ocean Trade

1. Collapse of the Mongol Empire (14th century)

   • Trade on the Silk Roads thrived under Mongol control.

   • As the Empire declined, trade safety diminished, prompting a shift to maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

   • Term Clarification: Maritime means related to the sea(sea-based).

2. Innovations in Commercial Practices

   • Adoption of money economies and credit systems made trade easier.

   • Trade became more facilitated, enhancing route usage.

3. Innovations in Transportation Technology

   • Key advancements included:

   • Magnetic Compass: Improved navigation accuracy.

   • Astrolabe: Used for locating stars to determine position.

   • Lateen Sail: Allowed for efficient sailing, regardless of wind direction.

   • Monsoon Winds: Predictably blew in different directions depending on the time of year.

   • Shipbuilding improvements:

     • Chinese Junk: Large cargo ship aiding in significant maritime trade.

     • Enhanced Dhows: Larger, more capable ships used by Arab traders.

     • Luxury good made their way across the Silk Road but with the increasing size of the trading ships more common items could be shipped and sold in bulk items like cotton, textiles, and grains, along with the luxury goods that were in demand across the world.

4. Spread of Islam

   • Islam encouraged commercial activities as its founder, Muhammad, was a merchant.

   • Islam was a belief system That was very friendly to merchants Since Muhammed himself was a merchant.

   • Facilitated connectivity and trade proliferation along both land and sea routes.

Effects of the Expansion of Indian Ocean Trade

1. Growth of Powerful Trading Cities

   • Swahili City States (East Africa): Profited from trade, imported wealth and built impressive structures because they participated in Indian Ocean trade.

   • Malacca: Capital of the Sultanate of Malacca, controlled key trade routes, grew rich through taxation of passing ships.

   • Gujarat (India): Strategic midpoint for trade, exported cotton textiles and accepted gold and silver in return coming from the Middle East, also taxed ships coming and going from its port and increasing wealth.

2. Establishment of Diaspora Communities

   • Diaspora Definition: Communities of people from one region establishing homes in another while maintaining cultural customs.

   • Diaspora: relates to the word disperse.

   • Significant groups included:

     • Chinese merchants in Southeast Asia.

     • Arab and Persian merchants in East Africa.

   • These communities facilitated trade and connected varied markets across the ocean.

   • Chinese merchants would arrive in various ports around southeast Asia and the Diasporic Chinese merchants living there would interact with the local merchants and the government to facilitate trade.

3. Cultural and Technological Transfers

   • Cultural and technological exchanges were just as significant as goods exchanged over these trade routes.

   • Merchants carried religions, languages, and technologies across regions, and as they mingle with other cultures, those traits come to influence each part.

   • Zheng He was commissioned by China’s Ming Dynasty to explore the Indian Ocean and enroll other states in China’s, tributary system.

   • Example: Admiral Zheng He's expeditions showcased impressive fleet and military technology, influencing trade practices.

   • His voyages emphasized state-led trade partnerships and introduced innovations in military technology across various regions.

   • Zheng He’s ships were equipped with the latest in military technology like gunpowder cannons, which were later adopted in many regions.

   • With the Ming dynasties insistence on state lead trade partnerships, various states around the Indian Ocean begin taking more significant roles in trade