TK

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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