ENVIRONMENTAL Effects of Connectivity [AP World History Review—Unit 2 Topic 6]

Summary

This video explores the environmental impacts of global trade connections from 1200 to 1450, focusing on agricultural transfers and the spread of disease. Bananas from Southeast Asia, Champa rice from Vietnam, and citrus fruits like sour oranges played crucial roles in expanding diets and boosting populations. However, with increased trade came the spread of the deadly Bubonic plague, which ravaged populations across Eurasia, following trade routes. The video emphasizes how both crops and germs were significant consequences of the period's interconnectedness.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The period from 1200 to 1450 saw environmental consequences from global trade, such as agricultural and disease transfers.
• 🍌 Bananas were introduced to Africa from Southeast Asia, and their cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa expanded diets and led to population growth.
• 🍠 Bantu-speaking people migrated to areas where their traditional yam crops couldn't grow, thanks to the introduction of bananas.
• 🍚 Champa rice, a drought-resistant grain from Vietnam, was introduced to China and led to rapid population growth due to its quick maturity and ability to be harvested multiple times a season.
• 🍊 Citrus fruits like sour oranges and limes were introduced to Europe via Mediterranean trade routes, improving diets and health.
• 😷 The Bubonic plague spread along trade routes like the Silk Roads and the Indian Ocean routes, with devastating effects on populations across Eurasia.
• 🐎 The Mongols facilitated trade across Eurasia, but this also accelerated the spread of the Bubonic plague, starting in northern China in 1331.
• 💀 The plague killed a third of the population in the Middle East and half of the population in parts of Europe.
• 🚢 The disease followed major trade routes and hubs, showing how connectivity during this time period also spread deadly diseases.
• 📚 Agricultural transfers like bananas, Champa rice, and citrus fruits, alongside the Bubonic plague, illustrate the significant environmental and social consequences of global trade.

Q & A

What were the two major environmental consequences of global trading connections between 1200 and 1450?

The two major environmental consequences were the transfer of agricultural crops and the spread of diseases like the Bubonic plague.

How did bananas contribute to population growth in Africa?

Bananas, introduced to Africa from Southeast Asia, provided a new and reliable food source in the rainforests, leading to expanded diets and population growth.

What was the impact of Champa rice on China's population?

Champa rice, introduced from the Champa Kingdom in Vietnam, was drought-resistant and could be harvested multiple times a season, leading to more food and a significant population increase in China.

Which crops were introduced to Europe via Mediterranean trade routes, and what were their effects?

Citrus fruits like sour oranges and limes were introduced to Europe by Muslim traders. These crops improved dietary variation and contributed to better health.

How did the Mongol Empire contribute to the spread of the Bubonic plague?

The Mongol Empire increased trade across Eurasia through the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean routes, which facilitated the spread of the Bubonic plague from northern China to other regions.

What regions were most affected by the Bubonic plague, and what was the extent of its impact?

The Middle East and Europe were heavily affected, with the plague killing about a third of the population in the Middle East and half of the population in some parts of Europe.

Why is the term 'Pax Mongolica' mentioned in relation to the spread of the Bubonic plague?

'Pax Mongolica' refers to the Mongol Empire’s efforts to keep trade routes safe, which inadvertently accelerated the spread of the Bubonic plague along those same routes.

How did agricultural transfers like bananas and Champa rice affect migration patterns?

Bananas allowed Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa to migrate to areas where their traditional crop, yams, could not grow, while Champa rice supported population growth in East Asia, allowing for more movement and expansion.

What role did trade play in the spread of diseases during the 1200-1450 period?

Trade routes, particularly the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade, acted as conduits for diseases like the Bubonic plague, allowing them to spread rapidly between cities and regions.

What is the connection between increased trade volume and the spread of diseases in this period?

The increased volume and geographical extent of trade, especially during the Mongol Empire’s dominance, created more opportunities for diseases like the Bubonic plague to spread between populations.