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