silk, sea and sand roads. introduction long-distance trade became more important than ever in...
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Eurasian InteractionsSilk, Sea and Sand Roads
Introductionlong-distance trade became more important
than ever in 500–1500 c.e.most trade was indirectcreation of a network of communication and
exchange across the Afro-Eurasian world; a separate web in parts of the Americas
Why was trade significant? altered consumptionencouraged specializationdiminished economic self-sufficiency of local
societiestraders often became a distinct social groupsometimes was a means of social mobilityprovided prestige goods for elitessometimes the wealth from trade motivated state
creationreligious ideas, technological innovations, plants and
animals, and disease also spread along trade routes
Silk Roads
The Silk Roadsouter Eurasia: relatively warm, well-watered
(China, India, Middle East, Mediterranean)inner Eurasia: harsher, drier climate, much of it
pastoral (eastern Russia, Central Asia)steppe products were exchanged for agricultural
products and manufactured goodscreation of classical civilizations and imperial
states in 500–0 b.c.e. included efforts to control pastoral peoples
by early centuries of the Common Era, there was a network of transcontinental exchange, often brokered by pastoral peoples
SilkGenerally luxury goods, i.e. silk from ChinaTransport by camel = very expensive, small
volumeAt first China had monopoly on silk,
eventually worms brought to Europe. MonksSilk used as currency, considered decadent,
high statusDrain of wealth from EuropeSumptuary Laws
Buddhism SpreadsCultural transmission was more important
than exchange of goodsBuddhism spread along the Silk RoadsMonasteries along silk roads provided rest
stops for merchants, many merchants convertMahayana Buddhism flourished and spread to
China
Mahayana Buddhism
Disease in Transitlong-distance trade meant exposure to unfamiliar
diseasesduring the Roman and Han empires, smallpox and
measles devastated both populationsIn 534–750 c.e., bubonic plague from India ravaged
Mediterranean worldThis made it harder for Christendom to resist spread
of Islamthe Black Death spread thanks to the Mongol
Empire’s unification of much of Eurasia (thirteenth–fourteenth centuries)
Think of the Americas and the Native Americans
The Black Death
Sea RoadsMediterranean – Venice center of trade by
1000ce-controlled most trade from Asia
Indian Ocean – Most important trade routes before 1500. why?-cheaper, safer, bulk goods on ships (not camels)
Indian Ocean TradeBegan with the first civilizations
-Indus Valley writing may have been stimulated by cuneiform
Monsoons – seasonal winds that made trade possible
Fulcrum of trade was India-spread of Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia
Proponents of Indian Ocean TradeChina
-Chinese products flooded the Indian trade network-China developed larger ships and the magnetic compass-China provided a vast market for Indian and Southeast Asian goods
Islam-Muhammad was a trader (friendly to trade)-widespread conversion to Islam made trade easier-Arab empire stretched from Atlantic Ocean to India
Sea Roads Impact East AfricaSwahili civilization of East Africa developed
from blend of Bantu with commercial life of the Indian Ocean (especially Islamic)
Growing demand for East African products (gold, ivory, quartz, leopard skins, some slaves, iron, wood products)
Swahili civilization flourished on East African coast between 1000 and 1500 c.e.
Indian Ocean Trade
Sand RoadsSand roads refer to trade across the SaharaWest Africa traded Gold, Salt, and SlavesPeoples of Sudan received horses, cloth, dates,
manufactured goods, salt in returnCreation of a series of states in western and
central Sudanbetween 500 and 1600 c.e., including Ghana, Mali, Songhay. These were wealthy monarchies
Huge caravans (as many as 5,000 camels)Slavic-speaking slaves were much more common
in Europe (origin of word “slave”)
American Trade NetworksThere was no sustained interaction between
the Western and Eastern hemispheres before the voyages of Columbus.
Limitations-lack of domesticated large mammals, wheeled vehicles, large oceangoing ships-geographical or environmental obstacles
There was a major trade network in Mesoamerica-Maya and Aztec interactions
Mayan Trade Routes
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