Exchange Networks and Trade Expansion (1200-1450)

Sep 18, 2024

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

Context and Overview

  • Economic activity along existing trade routes increased in volume and scope between 1200 and 1450.
  • Factors contributing to trade expansion:
    • Technological and commercial innovations.
    • Imperial expansion.
    • Demand for luxury goods.
  • Trade networks facilitated cultural, biological, and technological diffusion across Afro-Eurasia.

Factors Expanding Trade (1200-1450)

  • Rise of powerful states and empires.
  • Mongol Empire's promotion of trade along the Silk Roads, creating a vast commercial network.
  • Trade routes expanded across Sahara and Indian Ocean, linking West and East Africa.
  • Improved commercial practices, such as forms of credit, boosted trade.

Consequences of Trade Expansion

  • Emergence of powerful trading cities across Africa and Eurasia.
  • Cross-cultural exchanges included the spread of religious beliefs (e.g., Islam) and technology (e.g., papermaking, gunpowder).
  • Spread of diseases, notably the bubonic plague.

The Silk Roads

  • Demand for luxury goods increased in Europe and Africa.
  • Artisans in China, Persia, and India expanded production of textiles and porcelains.
  • Caravans made travel safer; China developed paper money.

Causes of Growth in Exchange Networks

  • Crusades introduced fabrics and spices from the East to Europe.
  • Despite challenges, the Silk Roads and sea routes remained operational.
  • Global trade increased; Europe desired silk, tea, and rhubarb from China.

Rise of New Empires

  • Post-collapse of Roman and Han empires, Silk Roads' activity declined.
  • Revived by Arab merchants from the Abbasid Empire and Tang China.
  • China offered compass, paper, gunpowder, porcelain, tea, and silk.
  • Mongol Empire unified Silk Roads under a system respecting merchants, improving safety.

Improvements in Transportation Technologies

  • Caravan travel became safer.
  • Camels’ saddle design increased load capacity.
  • Chinese naval technology advanced with magnetic compass and improved rudder.
  • Development of the junk ship during the Han Dynasty.

Effects of Global Exchange Networks

  • Development of oasis cities like Kashgar and Samarkand.
  • Cultural exchanges and trade thrived in these cities.

Caravanserai

  • Inns along trade routes provided rest and trade opportunities.
  • Established approximately every 100 miles for travelers and camels.

Commercial Innovations

  • China's financial systems evolved, including flying cash.
  • Banking houses and bills of exchange emerged.
  • Hanseatic League in Europe controlled North Sea and Baltic trade.

Increase in Demand

  • Demand for luxury goods led to expanded production in Afro-Eurasia.
  • Expanded production of silk, textiles, and porcelains.
  • China's iron and steel manufacturing increased.

Key Terms

  • Technology: Magnetic compass, rudder, junk.
  • Government: New empires.
  • Culture: Trade cities (Kashgar, Samarkand).
  • Economics: Innovations like caravanserai, money economy, flying cash, paper money, banking houses, bill of exchange, Hanseatic League.

This summary captures the essence of the lecture on the historical networks of exchange between 1200 and 1450, encompassing the causes and effects of trade growth and significant cultural and technological exchanges facilitated by these networks.

Full transcript