Intercontinental Trade Routes and the Mongols

Sep 2, 2024

Heimler's History - AP World History Unit 2 Review

Overview

  • Comparison of intercontinental trade routes (1200-1450)
  • Examination of the Mongols' influence on trade and world history

Major Trade Routes

1. The Silk Roads

  • Connected China with Europe via Central Asia and Southwest Asia

2. Indian Ocean Routes

  • Linked East Asia with East Africa
  • Included Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Southwest Asia

3. Trans-Saharan Network

  • Connected North Africa and the Mediterranean Basin with Sub-Saharan Africa

Similarities Among Trade Routes

Established Protection

  • Flourishing trade routes under large state protection (e.g., Mongols)
  • Safe travel encouraged technological advances

Technological Innovations

  • Magnetic compass, latin sail, saddles, and stern post rudder

Cultural Exchanges

  • Primary purpose: trade
  • Secondary consequences: cultural exchange (e.g., religion)
    • Spread of Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism
  • Introduction of new crops (e.g., Champa rice in China, bananas from Indonesia to East Africa)

Growth of Trading Cities

  • Emergence of major trading cities at trade route intersections
    • Examples: Shang An (Silk Road), Calicut (Indian Ocean), Timbuktu (Trans-Saharan)

Differences Among Trade Routes

Goods

  • Silk Roads: Luxury goods (silk, porcelain, etc.)
  • Indian Ocean: Luxury and common goods (gold, textiles, etc.)
  • Trans-Saharan: Horses, salt, gold, slaves

Technology

  • Silk Roads: Saddles, caravanserai
  • Indian Ocean: Astrolabe, magnetic compass, stern post rudder, latin sail

Religion

  • Silk Roads: Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism, Islam
  • Indian Ocean: Above + Christianity
  • Trans-Saharan: Islam

Cultural and Environmental Consequences

Cultural Impact

  • Spread and adaptation of religions (e.g., Zen Buddhism, Swahili language)
  • Famous travelers expanded global awareness (e.g., Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo)

Environmental Impact

  • Spread of diseases, notably the Black Death
    • Significant population impacts, especially in Europe
    • Labor shortages led to improved labor conditions

The Mongols

  • Historical Significance: Largest land-based empire
  • Leadership: Genghis Khan's unification of Mongolian tribes
  • Pax Mongolica: Peace that enhanced trade across regions
  • Cultural Legacy: Minimal new cultural institutions; influenced state centralization post-empire

Conclusion

  • Recap of key points from Unit 2
  • Encouragement to engage with Heimler's History content

Pro Tip: Struggling with AP World History? Just say "Yam" - it's oddly comforting!