AP World History Unit 2 Notes

Overview

• Time Period: 1200 to 1450
• Focus: Connections through networks of exchange between states and empires.
  • These networks facilitated not just economic interactions but cultural diffusion and transfers.

Major Networks of Exchange

1. Silk Roads
2. Indian Ocean Network
3. Trans-Saharan Trade

General Developments (1200-1450)

• Expansion of geographical range for all networks.
• Innovations in commercial practices and technology.
• Increased wealth and power for various states.
• Rise and fall of cities and states.

Silk Roads

• Goods Traded: Mainly luxury items (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain).
• Innovations:
  • Transportation: Caravanserai (inns offering safety and cultural exchange).
  • Commercial Practices: Development of money economies, introduction of new forms of credit (flying money system, bills of exchange).
• Rise of Trading Cities: Kashgar became wealthy due to its strategic location.

Indian Ocean Network

• Goods Traded: Bulk commodities (e.g., textiles, spices) and some luxury goods.
• Innovations:
  • Magnetic compass, improved astrolabe, new ship designs (e.g., Chinese junk).
  • Similar commercial practices as the Silk Roads.
• Growth of States: Swahili City States grew rich and powerful.
• Cultural Diffusion: Spread of Islam, emergence of Swahili language, Zheng He's voyages.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Innovations: Improved camel saddle.
• Key State: Mali Empire, grew wealthy by trading gold and taxing merchants.
• Notable Leader: Mansa Musa expanded Mali's wealth and trade.

Effects of Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

1. Transfer of Religion: Spread of Buddhism to China via Silk Roads.
2. Literary and Artistic Transfers: Translations and commentary on Greek/Roman works in Baghdad, leading to the Renaissance.
3. Technological Innovations: Spread of gunpowder from China.
4. Travelers' Accounts: Ibn Battuta's travels offered insights into Dar al-Islam.

Environmental Consequences

1. Crops: Introduction of Champa rice to China, facilitating population growth.
2. Diseases: Bubonic Plague spread along trade routes.

The Mongol Empire

• Expansion: Replaced powerful empires, established large land-based empire.
• Facilitation of Trade: Encouraged and secured international trade (Pax Mongolica).
• Technological and Cultural Transfers: Transfer of medical knowledge, adoption of Uyghur script for administration.