AP World Unit 2

Explain the various factors that led to the growth of the Indian Ocean trade networks in the 1200 - 1450 time period:

Factors that led to the growth of the Indian Ocean trade networks include developments in luxury goods, innovations in technology for travel/transport, and new forms of credit/monetization. As well, the reliability of the monsoon winds was another factor that led to the growth of this market.

Explain the impact that Indian Ocean trade had on the Swahili city-states:

Indian Ocean trade had a large impact on Swahili city states as it brought the art of writing to a group of people whose history up until that point had been entirely oral. Many of the city states adopted some form of Arabic either as their writing form, either as their writing form or incorporated parts into their spoken language. It also brought Islam, and the area rapidly became predominantly Muslim.

Explain the various factors that led to the growth of the Silk Road trade networks in the 1200 - 1450 time period:

Innovations in transportation, state policies, and mercantile practices all led to the growth of the Silk Roads. As well, pastoral or nomadic groups helped maintain these networks and thread kept them strong.

Evaluate the extent to which new transportation technologies changed economic activity in the period circa 1200 to 1450.

New transportation technologies at this time changed economic activity by allowing an increased amount of luxury goods to be transported further distances with increased speeds. For example, the Chinese junk ships and Arab dhow ships allowed for goods to be transported easily over the Indian Ocean, therefore increasing the amount of trade that could be done, and in doing so increased economic activity. Other transportation technologies included the "frame and mattress" saddles that were used for camels. These allowed for the caravans to transport more goods with increased stability per trip. This made it so that they could generate the same amount of revenue in fewer trips from where they were to where they traded. Navigational devices such as the magnetic compass and astrolabes also made travel easier as traders were able to navigate through well known directions and the stars. This is just part of the extent to which new transportation technology changed economic activity circa 1200 to 1450.

Evaluate the extent to which networks of exchange impacted religious activities in the period 1200 to 1450 CE.

The networks of exchange at this time impacted religious activities to a sizable extent. The main impact was that for the first time, religions could spread not just by land from country to country, but also by water, across continents. Many missionaries from various faiths including Buddhism and Christianity, would go along with the traders and merchants to spread their religion to places where the population did not know of them. This is how Islam made its way to Africa, and how Buddhism spread through central and east Asia. Another way that religious activities were impacted by trade in this time period was through the Mongols who controlled the trade routes for a portion of time. They were fairly relaxed about religions and accepted most, this allowed information as well as religions to spread and thrive during Pax Mongolica. That being said, they limited the spread of Confucianism as they associated it with the Chinese and therefore thought less of it. These are a few examples that show the extent to which the networks of trade impacted religious activities from circa 1200 to 1450.

Evaluate the extent to which trade networks facilitated cultural and technological transfers in the 1200 to 1450 time period.

Trade networks were crucial in facilitating cultural and technological transfers. They allowed for ideas and technology to transfer from one place to another. As traders traveled to sell their goods, they brought with them technology and aspects of their culture which was exchanged along with the goods. Diaspora communities for example, were communities of people who had traveled from one place and were now living in another. With them they brought their cultural and religious practices, some of which were adopted by locals and in turn they adopted some of the traditions of the local peoples. Technology such as new types of navigational devices were also transferred through the trade routes. For example the magnetic compass which originated in China, was used throughout both the Silk Roads and the Indian Ocean trade routes. Another navigational device was the astrolabe which originated in Europe, but was brought to Asia and improved upon by scholars, it then made its way throughout the Indian Ocean trade routes and helped merchants navigate the stars. All of these show that trade networks facilitated cultural and technological transfers to a great extent during this time period.

Explain how the Mongol Khanates developed:

Following the death of Möngke Khan, the 4 Khanates developed due to a lack of a declared successor. Many of his kin declared themselves the Great Khan and none were widely accepted, so they split into 4 khanates. The lack of a strong unifying leader caused the Mongols to lose some of their power as they were no longer the great force that they had been under Ghengis Khan.

Describe some positive environmental effects of the various networks of exchange from c. 1200 to 1450.

A positive environmental effect of the various trade networks was the diffusion of crops. Fast ripening, drought resistant champa rice was one of these crop diffusions. It allowed for a guaranteed crop yield and encouraged terrace farming. Another example would be chinampas or floating gardens that aided in irrigation in the Americas.

Describe a diasporic community that resulted from the Indian Ocean trade:

An example of a diasporic community that resulted from the Indian ocean trade would be Chinese merchant communities in Southeast Asia. They would travel from China for trade and set up small communities where they could take part in their own culture while also integrating with the local culture. In many cases, both cultures influenced each other and they brought certain parts back to their people.

Give examples of the diffusion of scientific/technological innovations that occurred as a result of trade networks in the 1200-1450 time period.

Examples of scientific/technological innovations that occurred during this time include the spread of medical knowledge, gunpowder from China, and improvements upon the magnetic compass. Other examples include new types of sails, ships, and saddles that could be used to transport people and goods along the routes. Paper and silk were also examples of technological innovations at the time.

What technologies facilitated trade along the trans-Saharan trade networks?

Improved camel saddles and caravans were some of the technologies that facilitated trade along the Trans-Saharan trade networks. They made it easier to transport larger amounts of goods further distances to be traded.

What role did (specific) environmental factors play in the development of the Indian Ocean trade network?

Monsoon winds were a strong factor in the development of the Indian Ocean trade network. Once traders figured out when the winds would be blowing in which direction, they were able to travel more easily, traveling with the wind instead of against it. These strong winds helped to propel the ships in the directions that they were headed.

Describe some of the cultural transfers that resulted from the Mongol khanates:

Some cultural transfers during the Mongol Khanates were the transfer of religions such as Buddhism and Christianity, the transfer of medical knowledge to western Europe, and the adoption of the Uyghur script. They also adopted many aspects of Indian culture both in the way that they ruled and religiously.

Give a few examples of cultural transfers that occurred as a result of trade networks in the 1200-1450 time period:

Some examples of cultural transfers that occurred as a result of trade networks in the 1200-1450 time period were the spread of religions. Buddhism, and more specifically Mahayana Buddhism, spread through the Silk Roads and the Indian Ocean trade networks. As well, Hinduism made its way all the way from India to Cambodia, as seen by the massive Angkor Wat.

Describe some negative environmental effects of the various networks of exchange from c. 1200 to 1450.

Some negative environmental effects included the spread of the plague, and various depletion of resources. The Black Death made its way from China to Europe and devastated the population. New farming techniques led to deforestation, overgrazing, and soil erosion.

Evaluate the extent to which trade networks influenced the expansion of empires in the 1200 to 1450 time period.

Trade networks influenced the expansion of net works to a moderate extent. Trade brought communication and influenced many to join the empires because of the draw of booming economies and trade. They also brought an increase in revenue to the developing empires which allowed them to build their economies and increase their strength. Examples of this include the city-states in Africa. Mali, one of those city-states, based their economy on trade, and without it they would not have been able to reach the strength that they had. On top of this, the trade routes connected different empires that were able to work together to reach a common goal such as the removal of another empire. These are some of the influences that trade had on the expansion of empires, and these examples give insight into the extent of the influence.

Explain the connection between Mali in West Africa and trade and communication.

Mali was a major city-state at the time. As people were drawn to the economies and trade in Mali, they became a major facilitator of Afro-Eurasian trade and communication.

What commercial technology facilitated trade along the Silk Roads?

New types of credit and monetization such as paper bills, banks, credit , and checks facilitated trade along the silk roads.

Explain the various factors that led to the growth of the Trans-Saharan trade networks in the 1200 - 1450 time period:

Pastoral groups were key in the growth of the Trans-Saharan trade networks. As well, the pre-existing routes and newly developed ones led to the trade routes growing and strengthening. Improved transportation technology and commercial practices were another factor that led to the increase in trade.

What luxury goods were often traded along the Silk Roads?

Silk, paper, porcelain, cotton textiles, slaves, spices, animals, and other luxury goods were often transported along the Silk Roads.

What technologies facilitated trade in the Indian Ocean during the 1200-1450 time period?

Technologies that facilitated Indian Ocean trade include the use of new types of ships such as Chinese junk ships and Arab dhow, an increased understanding of monsoon winds, improvements in the magnetic compass, and new ways to determine latitude and longitude such as the astrolabe.

Explain how the Mongol Khanates facilitated trade in Afro-Eurasia:

The Mongol Khanates facilitated trade in Afro-Eurasia by encouraging it. As well, they protected travelers and traders using the trade routes and developed travel documents which made it so that one had to get permission to travel from place to place.

What effects did this trade route have on the African continent (and beyond)?

This trade route built the economies of the African city-states, spread African culture, and helped in the diffusion of religions. Written language was spread using the routes, and so were regions such as Islam. As well, many of the city states built their economies off of the trade from the routes, and they allowed for goods and culture to make it from one place to another.

What transportation technologies facilitated trade along the Silk Roads?

Transportation technologies included new types of yokes, saddles, and stirrups that made travel easier and allowed animals to carry heavier loads. The "frame and mattress" saddle allowed camels to bear heavier loads with increased stability.