AP World History Unit 2 Overview
Time Period
- 1200-1450 CE
- Focus on connections between states through networks of exchange
Major Networks of Exchange
- Silk Roads
- Indian Ocean Network
- Trans-Saharan Trade
Common Developments Across Networks
- Geographic expansion of networks
- Innovations in commercial practices and technology
- Growth of wealthy and powerful states
- Rise and fall of powerful states and cities
Silk Roads
- Luxury goods like Chinese silk and porcelain were traded
- Innovations: Caravanserai (inns and guesthouses)
- Provided safety and cultural exchanges
- Money economies: Use of paper money in China ("flying money" system)
- Credit systems: Bills of exchange, banking houses
- Rise of powerful cities like Kashgar
Indian Ocean Network
- Expanded scope during 1200-1450
- Trades included bulk goods like textiles and spices
- Key technologies:
- Magnetic compass
- Astrolabe
- New ship designs, e.g., Chinese junk
- Swahili City States:
- Grew powerful as brokers of African goods
- Influence led to new language, Swahili
- Zheng He: Ming Dynasty voyages that spread maritime technology
Trans-Saharan Trade
- Expanded due to camel saddle innovations
- Rise of Mali Empire
- Conversion to Islam, wealth from gold trade
- Prosperity under Mansa Musa
Effects of Increased Connectivity
Cultural Consequences
- Spreading religions: Buddhism to China via Silk Roads
- Literary and Artistic Transfers: Islamic scholars in Baghdad
- Foundations for the European Renaissance
- Scientific and Technological Transfers: Gunpowder spread
Environmental Consequences
- Crops and Diseases:
- Example: Champa rice in China, led to population growth
- Bubonic Plague via trade routes
The Mongol Empire
- Established largest land-based empire
- Increased networks of exchange
- Provided safety, encouraged trade (Pax Mongolica)
- Facilitated cooperation and connectivity
- Technological and Cultural Transfers:
- Adoption of Uyghur script
- Spread of medical knowledge from Greek and Islamic sources
Notable Travelers
- Ibn Battuta: Muslim scholar, wrote detailed travel accounts
These notes summarize the key points from Unit 2, focusing on the major trade networks and the Mongol Empire's impact on global connectivity during the period 1200-1450 CE.