Economic Systems, 600-1450

• Trade was an important part of interaction
• Methods of intensive agriculture became more common
• Industrial production started to rise
  • Trade Networks
  • The Silk Road flourished but had times of downfall
  • There were caravanserais throughout the Silk Road
    • caravanserais: roadside settlements providing safety and shelter
  • The Silk Road provided trade routes throughout Asia
  • Mediterranean sea lanes also provided trade
  • Trade along trans-saharan caravan routes also increased
    • Expansion of Islam
    • Increased expertise in camel herding
    • Trading of gold and Arab slave trade increased
  • Economies settled around the Indian Ocean Trade Network
  • Trade Easier: Technology, Banking, and Infrastructure
  • Astrolabe: measured the sum’s position in the sky to calculate latitude
  • Magnetic compass
  • Junks, dhows, Viking longboats, and sailing ships helped with means of transportation
  • Overland transportation was done through camel saddles
  • Commerce was encouraged through banking and credit
  • Standard weights and measures, currencies, minting coins and paper money allowed for regulating trade routes
  • Infrastructures also enabled the expansion of trade
    • Markets, trading, outposts, port cities and caravanserai were important to the movement of goods
    • Waterways and roads also connected cities
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