2.5

Question 1

Ibn Battuta

Answer 1

Muslim man who made the pilgrimage to Mecca and traveled all across Dar Al Islam and AfroEurasia, keeping a journal about his experiences. It was later published and read by a predominantly Muslim audience, leading to increased desire for foreign exploration and goods and therefore the spread of Islam.

Question 2

Marco Polo

Answer 2

From Venice, traveled to Asia and became one of Kublai Khan’s ambassadors as he told him stories. Eventually returned to Venice but was captured by the Venetians’ enemies. In prison, he shared his stories, which were written down and published. His journal resulted in an increased desire for exploration into AfroEurasia and for Asian goods by Europeans.

Question 3

The spread of religion due to major trade routes from 1200-1450:

Answer 3

Neo Confucianism: the syncretism of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism - Buddhism spread through trade

Zen Buddhism: created in China, spread to Japan, a mixture of Daoist and Buddhist beliefs

Mahayana Buddhism: created in East Asia, emphasized Buddha as an object of devotion as well as compassion

Sufi movement: primary reason for the spread of Islam, because it was less intellectually challenging and more accommodating: emphasized mystical experiences and accessibility to all

Bhakti movement: Hindu, primary reason for the spread of Hinduism past India, rejected class hierarchies based on caste, emphasized mystical experiences, compassion, and availability to all

Islam: the spread of Islam in general across Africa for economic opportunities, spread their culture with them often made with adobe, ex: Great Mosque of Djenne in modern-day Mali.

Question 4

Linguistic changes due to major trade routes from 1200-1450

Answer 4

Swahili language: made up from the Bantu and Arabic language

• diaspora settled in Swahili states a lot, like the Sodigans, Muslims, and Buddhists
• mixture of styles because of this: Swahili language, but also Islamic styles with Hindu patterns

Question 5

Growing trade cities between 1200-1450

Answer 5

Why did they grow?
- More trade meant more urbanization, which allowed culture and art to flourish
*significant poetry from Xin Qiji and Lu Yu

Hanzghou: metropolitan, with a minority population of Arabs, became one of the biggest cities in China

Kashgar: situated on China’s border, built around a river = agriculturally prosperous and a popular stop for traders who need water and food for their journey

Samarkand: this city was situated at the cross-sections of various Silk Road routes, so it grew in prominence and ended up being a cultural hub for Sodigans

Cairo: in the Middle East

Question 6

New tech. from 1200-1450

Answer 6

Dhows: used lateen sails, made by Arabs
Junks: made by Chinese, large cargo for travelers
Lateen sail
Magnetic compass
Astrolabe: measures the position of celestial bodies, helps with navigation
Stern-post rudder: made navigation easier and more accurate
Watertight bulkheads
Gunpowder: began in China to make fireworks, then used for firearms which became popular in Europe next
Paper: began in China for money, spread across AfroEurasia

Cairo: physicians and doctors began standardizing the medical field by studying to obtain medical licenses for operation, and along with medical advances this helped to improve the quality of life in the Middle East