AP World History Unit 2 Overview

Time Period: 1200 to 1450

• Focus: Connections between states and empires through networks of exchange, emphasizing economic and cultural interactions.

Major Networks of Exchange

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

General Developments

• All networks expanded in geographic range and connected more states during 1200-1450.
• Expansion due to innovations in commercial practices and technology.
• States grew wealthy and powerful through increased connectivity.
• Rise and fall of powerful cities due to these networks.

Silk Road

• Mainly luxury goods traded (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain).
• Innovations:
  • Caravanserai: Inns along the route providing safety and cultural exchanges.
  • Money economies: Introduction of paper money (e.g., flying money system) facilitated trade.
  • New forms of credit: Bills of exchange, banking houses made transactions easier.
• Kashgar: Example of a trading city that flourished.

Indian Ocean Network

• Expanded significantly by understanding monsoon winds.
• Traded bulk goods (e.g., textiles, spices) and luxury items.
• Technological innovations:
  • Magnetic compass, astrolabe, Chinese junk ships.
• Swahili city-states: Example of a region that grew wealthy; influenced by Muslim merchants.
• Diaspora communities: Spread of culture and religion, e.g., Arab and Persian communities in East Africa.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Expanded due to innovations in camel saddle technology.
• Mali Empire: Grew wealthy through gold trade and taxation; leadership converted to Islam.
• Mansa Musa: Key figure in Mali's expansion of trade and wealth.

Effects of Increased Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

• Transfer of religions: Buddhism spread to China via Silk Roads.
• Literary and artistic transfers: Islamic scholars influenced European Renaissance.
• Technological transfers: Spread of gunpowder from China to Europe via the Mongols.

Environmental Consequences

• Transfer of crops: Champa rice in China increased food production and population growth.
• Spread of disease: Bubonic plague traveled along trade routes, devastating populations.

Mongol Empire and Connectivity

• Mongols created largest land-based empire, replacing powerful empires.
• Increased exchange and communication through the Pax Mongolica.
• Facilitated trade on Silk Roads, encouraged international commerce.
• Technological and cultural transfers:
  • Greek and Islamic medical knowledge to Europe.
  • Adoption of the Uyghur script for policy and diplomacy.

Resources

• Consider using the AP World History review guide for more in-depth study.