AP World History UNIT 2 REVIEW—1200-1450

Summary

In this AP World History review video, the instructor compares intercontinental trade routes from 1200 to 1450, covering the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean routes, and Trans-Saharan networks. They discuss similarities, such as the role of large states in maintaining safety and facilitating technological advancements, and secondary consequences like cultural and religious exchanges. Differences in goods, technology, and religion across routes are highlighted, as well as key cities and travelers. The video concludes with a look at the Mongol Empire's vast influence on trade, cultural diffusion, and the spread of the Black Death.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The major trade routes between 1200 and 1450 were the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean routes, and the Trans-Saharan Network, connecting various regions like China, Europe, East Africa, and North Africa.
• 🏰 All these trade routes flourished largely due to the establishment of large, stable states, such as the Mongol Empire, which provided safety and security for merchants.
• ⚙️ These trade routes led to the development of new technologies like the magnetic compass, lateen sail, saddles, and the sternpost rudder, which made trade more efficient.
• 🛍️ The primary purpose of these routes was trade, but they also resulted in significant cultural exchange, including the spread of religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.
• 🍚 The introduction of new crops, like Champa rice to China and bananas to East Africa, had profound environmental and societal impacts, such as population growth and migration.
• 🏙️ The growth of major trading cities like Chang’an, Calicut, and Timbuktu was a direct result of the flourishing trade along these routes.
• 📦 Each trade route specialized in different types of goods: Silk Roads in luxury goods like silk and porcelain, Indian Ocean in common goods like rice and ivory, and Trans-Saharan in salt and slaves.
• 🧭 The technologies that emerged along the trade routes varied: Silk Roads developed saddles and caravanserais, while the Indian Ocean routes advanced in maritime tech like the astrolabe and compass.
• ✝️ Religions spread differently across the trade routes: Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism traveled along the Silk Roads, Islam across both the Indian Ocean and Trans-Saharan routes.
• ☠️ Trade also facilitated the spread of disease, with the Black Death traveling across Afro-Eurasia, leading to population loss and significant social changes, especially in Europe.

Q & A

What are the major trade routes discussed in the video?

The major trade routes discussed are the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean trade routes, and the Trans-Saharan trade network.

How did large states contribute to the flourishing of these trade routes?

Large states, such as the Mongols controlling the Silk Road, provided protection and stability, allowing merchants to feel safe while traveling, which helped the trade routes flourish.

What technological innovations were developed to facilitate trade along these routes?

Innovations included the magnetic compass, the lateen sail, saddles for camels and horses, and the sternpost rudder. These technologies made trade more efficient and profitable.

What were some of the secondary consequences of trade along these routes?

In addition to trade, cultural exchanges occurred, such as the spread of religions (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity), the introduction of new crops like Champa rice to China and bananas to East Africa, and the growth of trading cities like Shang'an, Calicut, and Timbuktu.

What kinds of goods were traded along the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean routes, and Trans-Saharan routes?

The Silk Roads specialized in luxury goods like silk, porcelain, and gunpowder. The Indian Ocean routes traded common goods such as gold, ivory, textiles, and pepper, along with luxury items. The Trans-Saharan routes focused on horses, salt, gold, and slaves.

How did the religions traveling along the trade routes differ?

The Silk Roads saw the spread of Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism, and Islam. The Indian Ocean routes also facilitated the spread of Christianity, in addition to Buddhism and Islam. The Trans-Saharan routes mainly spread Islam to sub-Saharan Africa.

What were some cultural consequences of trade mentioned in the video?

Cultural consequences included the spread of Zen Buddhism to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, the conversion of Bantu-speaking tribes to Islam, and the creation of the Swahili language, a mix of Arabic and Bantu.

Who were two significant travelers whose accounts impacted the spread of cultural awareness during this period?

Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler, and Marco Polo, an Italian explorer, both traveled extensively and documented their experiences, which sparked interest in foreign goods and cultures.

What were the environmental consequences of trade routes?

Environmental consequences included the spread of crops like Champa rice in China and bananas in Africa, but also the spread of diseases like the Black Death, which significantly reduced populations, particularly in Europe.

What impact did the Mongol Empire have on trade and world history during this period?

The Mongols established the largest land-based empire in history and created the Pax Mongolica, which allowed trade to flourish. However, they also contributed to the spread of the Black Death. Their legacy included influencing state centralization after the fall of their empire.