🌍

Overview of Networks of Exchange (1200-1450)

Oct 9, 2024

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

The Big Picture

  • Focus on the connection of states and empires through networks of exchange.
  • Networks of exchange included more than trading goods: facilitated cultural diffusion and technology transfer.

Three Major Networks of Exchange

  • Silk Roads: Stretched across Eurasia, primarily for luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk and porcelain).
  • Indian Ocean Network: Maritime routes for both luxury and common goods (e.g., textiles, spices).
  • Trans-Saharan Trade: Primarily overland routes connecting Africa (e.g., gold, ivory).

General Developments (1200-1450)

  1. Expansion in geographic range of networks.
  2. Innovations in commercial practices and technology.
  3. Growth of wealthy and powerful states and cities.
  4. Rise and fall of states and cities due to increased connectivity.

Distinct Features of Each Route

Silk Road

  • Luxury goods trade; demand increased production by Chinese, Indian, Persian artisans.
  • Transportation Innovations: Caravanserai for rest and protection.
  • Commercial Innovations:
    • Development of money economies (e.g., paper money, flying money system).
    • New forms of credit (e.g., bills of exchange).
  • Rise of trading cities like Kashgar.

Indian Ocean Network

  • Expanded significantly during this period.
  • Dependent on understanding of monsoon winds.
  • Bulk goods trade due to ship capacity.
  • Technological Innovations:
    • Magnetic compass, improved astrolabe, new ship designs (e.g., Chinese junk).
  • Commercial Practices: Similar to Silk Road (e.g., credits).
  • Growth of Swahili City States due to trade and Islamic influence.
  • Establishment of diasporic communities (e.g., Arab and Persian in East Africa).

Trans-Saharan Trade

  • Expansion due to camel saddle improvements.
  • Mali Empire grew wealthy through gold trade and taxation.
  • Mansa Musa monopolized trade between North Africa and interior.

Effects of Increasing Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

  1. Transfer of religions (e.g., Buddhism via Silk Roads).
  2. Literary and artistic exchanges (e.g., Islamic scholars' translations).
  3. Scientific and technological transfers (e.g., gunpowder from China).
  4. Rise and fall of cities:
    • Rise: Hangzhou due to trade.
    • Fall: Baghdad due to Mongol conquest.
  5. Travelers like Ibn Battuta documented cultural landscapes.

Environmental Consequences

  1. Crop transfers (e.g., Champa rice to China).
  2. Disease transfers (e.g., Bubonic Plague via trade routes).

The Mongol Empire and Its Role

  • Established the largest land-based empire, facilitating connections.
  • Encouraged trade and communication (Pax Mongolica).
  • Technological (e.g., Greek and Islamic knowledge to Europe) and cultural transfers (e.g., Uyghur script).

Additional Resources

  • Heimler Review Guide for comprehensive study materials and practice exams.

These notes are organized for easy review and reference, covering the essential topics of AP World History Unit 2 related to networks of exchange and their effects globally.

Full transcript