Unit 2 AP WORLD = Trade routes

• What period do the trade routes discussed in the video cover?

  1200-1450
• What are the three major trade routes mentioned in the video?

  Silk Roads, Indian Ocean trade, and Trans-Saharan routes
• What was the most famous of all the trading routes?

  The Silk Roads
• Why did the Silk Roads work best as a conduit of trade?


  Large empires controlled all the land across which they stretched
• Which two empires engaged in a robust trading relationship along the Silk Roads in the 200s?


  The Roman Empire and Han China
• What was the primary type of goods transported along the Silk Roads?


  Luxury goods
• What was the king of luxury goods traded on the Silk Roads?


  Chinese silk
• When did silk originate in China?

  Around 3000 BCE
• How did the exchange of goods along the Silk Roads impact culture?


  It facilitated the spread of Buddhism and cultural syncretism
• What significant change occurred in Buddhism as it spread along the Silk Roads?


  Mahayana Buddhism developed, emphasizing the Buddha as a deity
• What was one outward change Buddhism underwent as it spread?

  Buddhist monasteries received lavish gifts from merchants
• What was a major downside of the interconnected trade routes?


  Diseases were transferred between civilizations
• What was the name of the deadly disease that spread due to trade routes?

  The Black Death (Bubonic Plague)
• What was the impact of the Black Death on Europe?


  Nearly half of the European population died
• What type of trade routes did the Indian Ocean routes represent?


  Sea-based trade routes
• What was the significance of the Indian Ocean trade routes before 1500?


  It was the largest sea-based system of communication and exchange
• What were some luxury goods traded along the Indian Ocean routes?

  Porcelain, spices, cotton, pepper, ivory, and gold
• What natural phenomenon aided the success of the Indian Ocean trade routes?

  Predictable yearly storms called monsoons
• How did the introduction of the magnetic compass benefit sailors?

  It allowed sailors to hold their bearing without sight of the sun
• What were Chinese junks?


  Large, flat-bottomed ships with six masts
• What was a major reason for the growth of Indian Ocean trade routes during 1200-1450?

  The economic revival in China during the Tang and Song Dynasties
• How did the rise of Islam impact trade in the Indian Ocean?


  Islam was positive toward merchant activity, facilitating trade
• What kingdom rose in Southeast Asia due to trade routes?

  The Srivijaya Kingdom
• What was the significance of the Straits of Malacca for trade?


  It created conditions for the rise of the Srivijaya Kingdom
• What civilization emerged in Africa as a set of commercial city-states?

  The Swahili Civilization
• What goods did the Swahili city-states trade?


  Gold, ivory, and slaves
• How did the Swahili Civilization compare to ancient Greek city-states?


  Each Swahili state was independent with its own king
• What was the impact of trade on the social structure of the Kingdom of Mali?


  A social hierarchy formed with royalty at the top
• What was a major turning point in the history of the trans-Saharan trade routes?

  The introduction of the Arabian camel
• How did the Arabian camel impact trade across the Sahara?


  It could walk for up to 10 days without water
• What was the social hierarchy in the Kingdom of Mali?


  Royalty, elite classes, merchants, military/religious, peasants, and slaves
• What are the three major trading routes discussed in the video and their characteristics?

  • Silk Roads: Land-based, luxury goods, cultural exchange
  • Indian Ocean trade routes: Sea-based, variety of goods, maritime innovations
  • Trans-Saharan routes: Linked North Africa and West Africa, agricultural and manufactured goods
• How did trade routes from 1200-1450 shape cultures?


  • Spread of religions (e.g., Buddhism)
  • Cultural syncretism (e.g., Mahayana Buddhism)
  • Transfer of diseases (e.g., Black Death)
  • Rise of new kingdoms (e.g., Srivijaya, Swahili Civilization)