Environmental Consequences of Trade (1200-1450)

Key Topics

• Agricultural Transfers
• Spread of Diseases

Agricultural Transfers

Bananas in Africa

• Origin: Domesticated in Southeast Asia.
• Introduction: Brought to Africa by merchants crossing the Indian Ocean.
• Impact:
  • Flourished in sub-Saharan Africa's lush rainforests.
  • Expanded diets and led to population growth.
  • Enabled Bantu-speaking people to migrate to areas where yams couldn't grow, relying on bananas for sustenance.

Champa Rice in East Asia

• Origin: Introduced to China from the Champa Kingdom in Vietnam.
• Characteristics: Drought-resistant, quick-maturing, can be harvested more than once a season.
• Impact:
  • Increased food supply led to population growth in China.

Citrus Fruits in Europe

• Introduction: Brought by Muslim traders via Mediterranean trade routes.
• Impact:
  • Spread throughout Europe and North Africa.
  • Improved diet variation and health.

Spread of Diseases

Bubonic Plague

• Introduction:
  • Spread facilitated by increased trade routes and Pax Mongolica.
  • First erupted in 1331 in northern China.
• Transmission:
  • Spread along Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade routes.
  • Aligned with major trade routes and cities.
• Impact:
  • Middle East: Killed about one-third of the population.
  • Europe: Killed about half of the population.

Summary

• The period from 1200 to 1450 saw significant consequences of connectivity through trade.
• Both agricultural transfers and the spread of diseases had profound impacts on population growth and decline in various regions.