AP World History: Networks of Exchange and Land Based Empires

Overview of Major Networks of Exchange

Time period considered: December to 1450
Focus on the connections between various states and empires
Networks of exchange facilitated:

• Economic interactions (trade of goods)

• Cultural diffusion and transfer (religion, language, technology)

Three Major Networks

1. Silk Roads

• Stretched across Eurasia and primarily traded luxury goods.

• Major products: Chinese silk and porcelain.

• Increased demand led to higher production from artisans in places like China and Persia.

• Example: Peasants in the Yangtze River Delta shifted from food to luxury goods production.

Innovations Facilitating Expansion

• Transportation Technology: Caravanserai (inns providing safety and cultural exchange).

• Commercial Innovations:

  • Development of money economies (paper money = "flying money system" in China).

  • New forms of credit, like bills of exchange, made transactions easier.

Growth of Trading Cities

• Example: Kashgar at the convergence of key routes, boosted trade and wealth.

5. Indian Ocean Network

• Trade for centuries before 1200, but expanded significantly during this period.

• Trade of bulk goods: textiles, spices, and some luxury items based on ship capacity.

• Technological Innovations:

  • Magnetic compass for navigation.

  • Improved astrolabe for measuring stars.

  • New ship designs (Chinese junks) for carrying large cargo.

State Growth and Cultural Intermingling

• Example: Swahili city-states acting as brokers for African goods; became Islamic under merchant influence.

• Diasporic communities formed, like Arab and Persian settlements in East Africa, leading to cultural diffusion.

Zheng He and Cultural Transfers

• His voyages spread advanced Chinese maritime technology.

7. Trans-Saharan Network

• Expanded due to innovations like improved camel saddles.

• Led to increased wealth for states such as Mali through gold trade.

• Influence of Islam from the ninth century boosted trade and interconnectivity.

Consequences of Increasing Connections

Cultural Consequences:

• Religious Transfers: Buddhism entered China through Silk Roads via merchants and missionaries.

• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Islamic scholars translated Greek and Roman works, leading to the Renaissance in Europe.

• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Spread of gunpowder from China to Muslim empires and beyond.

Environmental Consequences:

• Crop Transfers: Example: Champa rice introduction to China increased food production and population.

• Disease Transmission: Bubonic plague spread along trade routes, culminating in significant mortality in Europe and the Middle East.

Belief Systems in Major Networks of Exchange

Overview

Belief systems during the period from December to 1450 played a critical role in shaping interactions among different cultures and societies across major networks of exchange. These belief systems included major religions, philosophies, and ideologies that influenced trade, governance, and cultural diffusion.

Major Belief Systems

1. Buddhism

   • Originated in India and spread to other regions through trade routes, particularly the Silk Roads.

   • Promoted values of compassion and mindfulness, attracting followers beyond its place of origin.

   • Impact on cultural exchanges in Central Asia and East Asia, influencing art and missionary practices.

2. Islam

   • Emerged in the 7th century, rapidly expanding through trade and military conquests.

   • Created a vast cultural network across the Indian Ocean, Trans-Saharan, and Mediterranean routes.

   • Facilitated the exchange of ideas, technological innovations, and goods between diverse cultures, promoting a shared sense of community (Ummah).

3. Confucianism

   • Rooted in Chinese culture, emphasizing social harmony, respect for authority, and family loyalty.

   • Provided a moral framework that influenced governance and interaction with neighboring regions.

   • Helped China maintain stability and prosperity, facilitating trade networks with surrounding regions.

4. Hinduism

   • A prevalent religion in India, characterized by a rich tapestry of deities, rituals, and philosophies.

   • Influenced trade and cultural interactions particularly in Southeast Asia, where Hindu temples and practices can be found.

Cultural Consequences of Belief Systems

• Cultural Diffusion: As merchants and travelers moved along trade routes, they often shared religious beliefs and practices, leading to transformations in local cultures. Examples include the spread of Buddhism to East Asia and the adoption of Islam in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.

• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Belief systems influenced art and literature, as seen in the translations of religious texts and the creation of art depicting religious themes.

• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Many advancements in science and technology were shared among cultures through the lens of belief systems, such as mathematical concepts introduced through Islamic scholars across trade networks.

Environmental and Social Impacts

• The spread of crops and agricultural techniques often accompanied belief systems, as seen with rice in East Asia and the introduction of new farming practices.

• Social structures often shifted as beliefs changed or spread, leading to new forms of governance and social stratification affected by religious

Overview of Major Networks of Exchange

• Time period considered: December to 1450.

• Focus on the connections between various states and empires.

Networks of Exchange Facilitated:

• Economic interactions (trade of goods).

• Cultural diffusion and transfer (religion, language, technology).

Three Major Networks

1. Silk Roads

• Stretched across Eurasia and primarily traded luxury goods.

• Major products: Chinese silk and porcelain.

• Increased demand led to higher production from artisans in places like China and Persia.

  • Example: Peasants in the Yangtze River Delta shifted from food to luxury goods production.

Innovations Facilitating Expansion

• Transportation Technology: Caravanserai (inns providing safety and cultural exchange).

• Commercial Innovations: Development of money economies (paper money = "flying money system" in China).

• New forms of credit, like bills of exchange, made transactions easier.

Growth of Trading Cities

• Example: Kashgar at the convergence of key routes, boosted trade and wealth.

4. Indian Ocean Network

• Trade for centuries before 1200, but expanded significantly during this period.

• Trade of bulk goods: textiles, spices, and some luxury items based on ship capacity.

• Technological Innovations:

  • Magnetic compass for navigation.

  • Improved astrolabe for measuring stars.

  • New ship designs (Chinese junks) for carrying large cargo.

State Growth and Cultural Intermingling

• Example: Swahili city-states acted as brokers for African goods; became Islamic under merchant influence.

• Diasporic communities formed, like Arab and Persian settlements in East Africa, leading to cultural diffusion.

Zheng He and Cultural Transfers

• His voyages spread advanced Chinese maritime technology.

6. Trans-Saharan Network

• Expanded due to innovations like improved camel saddles.

• Led to increased wealth for states such as Mali through gold trade.

• Influence of Islam from the ninth century boosted trade and interconnectivity.

Consequences of Increasing Connections

Cultural Consequences

• Religious Transfers: Buddhism entered China through Silk Roads via merchants and missionaries.

• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Islamic scholars translated Greek and Roman works, leading to the Renaissance in Europe.

• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Spread of gunpowder from China to Muslim empires and beyond.

Environmental Consequences

• Crop Transfers: Example: Champa rice introduction to China increased food production and population.

• Disease Transmission: Bubonic plague spread along trade routes, culminating in significant mortality in Europe and the Middle East.

Belief Systems in Major Networks of Exchange

Overview

• Belief systems during the period from December to 1450 played a critical role in shaping interactions among different cultures.

  • These belief systems included major religions, philosophies, and ideologies that influenced trade, governance, and cultural diffusion.

Major Belief Systems

8. Buddhism

• Originated in India and spread to other regions through trade routes, particularly the Silk Roads.

• Promoted values of compassion and mindfulness, attracting followers beyond its place of origin.

  • Impact: Influenced cultural exchanges in Central Asia and East Asia, affecting art and missionary practices.

10. Islam

• Emerged in the 7th century, rapidly expanding through trade and military conquests.

• Created a vast cultural network across the Indian Ocean, Trans-Saharan, and Mediterranean routes.

  • Impact: Facilitated the exchange of ideas, technological innovations, and goods between diverse cultures.

12. Confucianism

• Rooted in Chinese culture, emphasizing social harmony, respect for authority, and family loyalty.

• Provided a moral framework that influenced governance and interaction with neighboring regions.

  • Impact: Helped China maintain stability and prosperity, facilitating trade networks with surrounding regions.

14. Hinduism

• A prevalent religion in India, characterized by a rich tapestry of deities, rituals, and philosophies.

• Influenced trade and cultural interactions particularly in Southeast Asia, where Hindu temples and practices can be found.

Cultural Consequences of Belief Systems

• Cultural Diffusion: Religious beliefs and practices were often shared along trade routes, transforming local cultures.

  • Examples: Spread of Buddhism to East Asia; adoption of Islam in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.

• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Belief systems influenced art and literature, seen in the translations of religious texts and creation of art depicting religious themes.

• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Advancements in science and technology shared among cultures through the lens of belief systems, including mathematical concepts introduced through Islamic scholars across trade networks.

Environmental and Social Impacts

• The spread of crops and agricultural techniques often accompanied belief systems.

  • Example: Introduction of rice in East Asia and new farming practices.

• Social structures often shifted as beliefs changed or spread, leading to new forms of governance and social stratification affected by religion.

Expansion of major networks of exchange during the period from December to 1450 marked significant transformations in trade, administration, and belief systems across various regions.

Expansion and Administration

• Networks of exchange facilitated extensive economic interactions among different states and empires. This led to the establishment of administrative systems to manage and oversee trade routes and the flow of goods.

Key Administrative Features:

1. Centralized Governance:

   • Many empires created centralized bureaucracies to regulate trade; e.g., the Mongol Empire facilitated safe trading under one rule.

2. Infrastructure Development:

   • Roads, caravanserai, and ports were established to enhance trade. For instance, the Chinese built extensive road systems to support Silk Road trade.

3. Taxation Systems:

   • Empire states developed taxation methods to benefit from trade. This funded military and public projects that reinforced their power.

4. Cultural Intermingling:

   • As trade expanded, interactions among diverse cultures increased, leading to more inclusive governance that integrated various cultural practices.

Belief Systems

Belief systems played a pivotal role in shaping interactions among cultures via trade routes, influencing governance, cultural diffusion, and social structures.

Major Belief Systems:

1. Buddhism:

   • Originated in India and spread along the Silk Roads, promoting compassion and attracting diverse followers. Its influence extended to cultural exchanges in East Asia.

2. Islam:

   • Emerged in the 7th century and expanded rapidly; it fostered a vast cultural network that supported trade across regions, facilitating the exchange of ideas and goods.

3. Confucianism:

   • Grounded in Chinese society, it emphasized social harmony and loyalty, influencing governance and maintaining stability, thereby promoting trade relations.

4. Hinduism:

   • Predominant in India, it impacted trade and cultural interactions, especially in Southeast Asia, where Hindu infrastructures can still be observed.

Cultural Consequences of Belief Systems

• Cultural Diffusion: Religious beliefs shared by merchants often led to the hybridization of cultures.

• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Translations of texts and religious art were common; for example, Islamic scholars preserved and transmitted Greek works.

• Scientific Contributions: Mathematics and technological advances were often disseminated through these belief systems, notably through the Islamic Golden Age's influence across trade routes.

Environmental and Social Impacts

• The spread of crops and agricultural techniques, such as rice cultivation in East Asia, accompanied the expansion of belief systems, leading to demographic changes.

• Social structures also transformed, reflecting shifts in governance and social stratification as beliefs spread across different communities.