UNIT 2: NETWORKS OF EXCHANGE (AP WORLD HISTORY) #apworld #apworldhistory

Summary

This video script is a comprehensive review for Unit 2 of AP World History, focusing on the period 1200 to 1450. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of global trade routes, including the Silk Road, Indian Ocean trade, and trans-Saharan trade. The script highlights the significance of trade cities, the spread of luxury goods, and the cultural and environmental impacts of these exchanges. It also discusses the Mongol Empire's role in shaping history, including their military conquests and the establishment of khanates. The video is designed to aid students in consolidating their knowledge for exams, offering a study guide and answer key for additional support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unit 2 of AP World History focuses on the period 1200 to 1450 and is centered around the theme of 'networks of exchange'.
• 🎓 This unit builds upon Unit 1, 'The Global Tapestry', emphasizing the interconnectedness of world regions through trade and the Mongol Empire.
• 🛣️ Three major trade routes are highlighted: the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean trade, and the trans-Saharan trade, each facilitating cultural and economic exchange.
• 🏺 The Silk Roads, originating around 100 BCE, were a network of trade routes connecting East Asia to dar al-Islam, known for trading luxury goods like silk and porcelain.
• 🚢 The Indian Ocean trade was a maritime version of the Silk Roads, with key trade cities emerging due to advancements in boat design and navigational technology.
• 🐫 The trans-Saharan trade involved the exchange of goods like salt and gold, with Timbuktu becoming a significant trade and learning center.
• 🌐 The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan, played a dual role as both a destructive force and a catalyst for cultural and technological exchange.
• 📚 The study guide provided is designed to help students review and understand the key concepts of Unit 2, including the spread of religion, technology, and the impact of the Mongols.
• 🌍 The environmental and cultural consequences of these trade networks were significant, including the spread of diseases like the bubonic plague and foods like sugar and bananas.
• 📈 The Mongols' khanates were vast regions of Asia ruled by Genghis Khan's descendants, which helped maintain order and facilitate trade along the Silk Roads.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Unit 2 in AP World History?

Unit 2 focuses on the 'networks of exchange' during the time period of 1200 to 1450, emphasizing the interconnectedness of world regions through trade routes and the Mongol Empire.

What are the three major trade routes discussed in the script?

The three major trade routes are the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean trade, and the trans-Saharan trade.

What is the significance of the term 'Caravan Sarai' in the context of the Silk Roads?

Caravan Sarai refers to a resting place for merchants traveling in caravans along the Silk Roads, providing safety and lodging during their trade journeys.

Why is the term 'diaspora' important in the Indian Ocean trade?

The term 'diaspora' is important because it describes the movement of people away from their homelands for economic benefits, which led to the spread of language, religion, and culture along the Indian Ocean trade routes.

What technological advancements are associated with the Indian Ocean trade?

Technological advancements in the Indian Ocean trade include better boat designs with laminated sails and stronger hulls, as well as improved navigational tools like the compass and astrolabe.

How did the Mongol Empire impact the trade routes?

The Mongol Empire, under Genghis Khan, used the trade routes to expand their empire, becoming a catalyst for the transfer of culture, ideas, and technology. They also served as a de facto police force, providing security along the Silk Roads.

What is the term for the regions that the Mongol Empire broke into after Genghis Khan's death?

After Genghis Khan's death, the Mongol Empire broke into regions called 'khanates,' which were ruled by his descendants.

What are some of the cultural and environmental consequences of the trade routes discussed in the script?

Cultural consequences include the spread of religions like Buddhism and Islam, as well as technological advancements. Environmental consequences include the spread of diseases like the bubonic plague and the introduction of new foods such as sugar and bananas.

Who is mentioned as a famous traveler along the trade routes, and what is their significance?

Marco Polo is mentioned as a famous traveler, but Ibn Battuta is noted as the most prolific. They are significant because their travels along the trade routes facilitated cultural and technological exchanges.

What is the importance of the city of Timbuktu in the trans-Saharan trade?

Timbuktu was a major center of trade and learning in the trans-Saharan trade, serving as a hub where caravans would 'dock' and exchange goods, ideas, and technologies.