AP World History Unit 2 Notes

Overview

• Time Period: 1200-1450
• Focus: Connection of various states through networks of exchange
• Networks of exchange include:
  • Silk Roads
  • Indian Ocean Network
  • Trans-Saharan Trade

General Developments in Networks of Exchange

1. Geographical Expansion
   • All networks had existed prior to 1200 but expanded in scale during this period.
2. Innovations in Commerce and Technology
   • Innovations facilitated trade and cultural exchange.
3. Wealth and Power
   • Increased connectivity led to wealth and power for various states, while causing the collapse of others.

The Silk Roads

• Focus on luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain).
• Key proverb: "If it don't make the boom boom, I ain't got the room room."
• Innovations Facilitating Expansion:
  • Transportation Technology: Caravanserai served as inns and provided safety for merchants.
  • Commercial Practices:
    • Development of money economies (e.g., flying money system) allowed easier trade.
    • Introduction of credit systems led to more efficient transactions.
• Key City: Kashgar
  • Located at the convergence of two major Silk Road routes; grew in wealth and power.

The Indian Ocean Network

• Focus on bulk goods (e.g., textiles, spices), with some luxury items.
• Technological Innovations:
  • Improved magnetic compass, astrolabe, and new ship designs (e.g., Chinese junk).
• Key City-States: Swahili city-states
  • Acted as brokers for goods; became Islamic and prospered through trade.
• Diaspora Communities:
  • Arab and Persian communities formed in East Africa, spreading Islam and leading to cultural intermingling (e.g., Swahili language).
• Notable Figure: Zheng He
  • Ming Dynasty explorer who spread Chinese maritime technology.

The Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Expanded due to transportation innovations (e.g., improved camel saddles).
• Key Empire: Mali
  • Converted to Islam; grew wealthy through gold trade and taxing merchants.
  • Mansa Musa: Notable leader who expanded trade networks.

Consequences of Increased Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

1. Transfer of Religions:
   • Spread of Buddhism into China via Silk Roads.
2. Literary and Artistic Transfers:
   • Islamic scholars translated Greek/Roman works, influencing the Renaissance.
3. Scientific and Technological Transfers:
   • Gunpowder spread from China to Muslim empires and Eastern Europe.

Rise and Fall of Cities

• Rise: Hangzhou in China—wealth and urbanization.
• Fall: Baghdad destroyed by Mongol armies in 1258.

Travel Accounts

• Notable traveler: Ibn Battuta
  • Muslim scholar who documented experiences across Dar al-Islam.

Environmental Consequences

1. Crop Transfers:
   • Champa rice introduced to China, leading to population growth.
2. Disease Transfers:
   • Bubonic plague spread through trade routes, devastating populations.

The Mongol Empire

• Established the largest land-based empire; facilitated connections across trade networks.
• Key Points:

1. Empire Formation: Replaced powerful empires (e.g., Song, Abbasid).
2. Trade Facilitation: Improved safety and communication along trade routes.
3. Cultural and Technological Transfers:
   • Adoption of Uyghur script for administration.

Conclusion

• Increasing connectivity during this period had lasting social, economic, and cultural impacts, shaping the future of global interactions.