Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (c. 1200- c. 1450)

Question 1

Explain the causes and effects of the growth of networks of exchange after 1200.

Answer 1

• improved commercial parcatices -> led to an increase volume of trade and expanded the geographical range of existing trade routes (Silk Roads)
• The growth of powerful empires facilitated trade

Question 2

Causes of Growth:

Answer 2

• Innovations in caravan organization
  -Formation of trading cities like Samarkand and Kashgar
• Use of caravanserai, credit, and paper money

Question 3

Effects of trade:

Answer 3

-expansion of trade networks
-Cultural diffusion (buddhism, Islam, Neo-confucianism)
- Spread of tech and goods (gunpowder, paper, textiles)

Question 4

2.2 Explain the significance of the Mongol Empire in shaping Eurasian trade/communication

Answer 4

-The mongol empire facilitaed long-distance trade by reinvigorating the Silk Roads and promoting stability

Question 5

2.2 Effects of Mongol Empire and the making of the Modern world

Answer 5

-promotion of interregional trade
-cultural/ technological exchanges across Eurasai
-spread of bubonic plague

Question 6

2.2 Describe key features of the Mongol Empire (SPICE-T)

Answer 6

S: Merit-based, mobil societ; women w/ rights
P: United under Genhis Khan, ruled via khanates, strong military/ communication
I: Nomadic herders; expert horsemen
C: adopted local cultures; funded learning and art
C/E: boosted trade (pax mongolica), religious tolerance, cultural exchange
T: spread teach (gunpowder, printing); advanced warfare

Question 7

2.3 Explain the cause of the growth of the Indian Ocean trade network

Answer 7

-improved transportation tech (compass, astrolabe, lateen sail, junks, dhows)
- Growth of states such as Srivijaya, Malacca Sultanate, and Swahili city-states

Question 8

2.3 Explain the effects of the growth of the Indian Ocean trade network

Answer 8

-Diasporic communities (arab, chinese, Malay, Indian)
- Spread of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism
- Transfers of goods, crops (bananas, citrus) and tech

Question 9

2.3 Explain the role of environmental factors in shaping trade routes

Answer 9

-Monsoon winds determined trade patterns across the Indian Ocean

Question 10

2.4 Explain the cause of the growth of the Trans-Saharan trade routes

Answer 10

-camels and caravans
- expansion of empires like Mali

Question 11

2.4 Explain the effects of the growth of the Trans-Saharan trade routes

Answer 11

-trade in gold, salt, slaves
-spread of Islam into west Africa
-Growth of cities of Timbuktu and Gao

Question 12

2.5 Explain the intellectual and cultural effects of the various networks of exchange in Afro-Eurasai

Answer 12

-diffusion of religions: Buddhism, Isalm, Christianity
- Diffusion of scientific/technological innovations (papermaking, medicine)
diffusion of literature, art , and cultural traditions

Question 13

2.5 travelers’ whose accounts affected later interpretation of trade and cultural diffusion (3)

Answer 13

Travelers: Ibn Battuta , Marco Polo, Margery Kempe

Question 14

2.6 Explain the environmental effects of the various networks of exchange

Answer 14

-diffusion of crops (bananas to Africa, Champa rice to Chine, citrus fruits to the Mediterranean)
-spread of epidemic diseases (bubonic plague)

Question 15

2.6 Explain the long-term impcats of teh spread of crops and diseases on populations and urbanization

Answer 15

The spread of crops (champa rice/ bananas) led to incr. agricultural productivity and population growth,
Diseases (black death) caused population decline, disrupting economies and slowing ubran growth