Unit 2 Review

May 12, 2024

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AP World History Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (1200-1450)

Introduction

  • Time period: 1200 to 1450
  • Focus on connections between various states through networks of exchange.
  • Networks of exchange involved not just economic interactions but also facilitated cultural diffusion.

Major Networks of Exchange

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

General Developments Across Networks

  • Expansion in Geographic Scale: All three networks expanded, leading to further connections among states.
  • Innovations in Commercial Practices and Technological Innovations: These facilitated the expansion of networks.
  • Growth of Wealthy and Powerful States: Due to increased connectivity and participation in these networks.
  • Rise and Fall of Cities: As a result of increased interconnectivity.

Silk Roads

  • Linked Europe and Asia, trading mainly luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk and porcelain).
  • Innovations:
    • Caravanserai: Inns and guest houses for safety and cultural exchanges.
    • Money Economies & Credit Systems: Facilitated trade with paper money and banking practices.
  • Rise of Trading Cities: Example - Kashgar, grew in power and wealth due to its strategic location.

Indian Ocean Network

  • Maritime trade network that expanded due to understanding monsoon winds.
  • Traded textiles, spices, and luxury goods.
  • Technological Innovations: Improved compass, astrolabe, and ship designs (e.g., Chinese junk).
  • Growth of States & Diasporic Communities: Example - Swahili city states, grew by acting as brokers and adopting Islam.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

  • Expanded due to innovations like improved camel saddles.
  • Empire of Mali: Grew rich from gold trade and taxation, peaked under Mansa Musa.

Consequences of Increased Connectivity

  • Cultural:
    • Spread of religions, e.g., Buddhism to China.
    • Literary, artistic, and scientific transfers, e.g., Gunpowder from China to the world.
    • Rise of cities like Hangzhou and fall of cities like Baghdad.
    • Travel writings by explorers like Ibn Battuta.
  • Environmental:
    • Crop transfers, e.g., Champa rice to China.
    • Disease spread, notably the Bubonic plague along trade routes.

Mongol Empire

  • Established the largest land-based empire, facilitated connections.
  • Pax Mongolica: Period of peace that encouraged trade and cultural exchange.
  • Technological and Cultural Transfers: E.g., Mongols adopting the Uyghur script.