Primary Documents
3.1 I
With the creation of new transportation and navigational technologies, existing trade routes flourished during this time. Innovations such as the astrolabe and caravanserai promoted inter-regional trade between expanding empires.
"Trade networks crossed the deserts of central Asia and the breadth of the Indian Ocean. Long-distance trade passed through much of Eurasia and north Africa, from China to the Mediterranean basin, and to parts of sub-Saharan Africa as well." (Bentley 288)
This quote shows the tremendous areas that trade networks covered. The growth of these networks of trade and communication throughout this time period will continue to grow and become more complex allowing interactions between more civilizations.
This quote shows the tremendous areas that trade networks covered. The growth of these networks of trade and communication throughout this time period will continue to grow and become more complex allowing interactions between more civilizations.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/hansa-0.jpg?1511025494)
- Caravanserai- rest houses for merchants and travellers
- Astrolabe- a navigational tool used to locate the celestial inclined angle during the day or night
- Hanseatic League- a post-classical Workers Union to protect the rights of the working class
- Yassa- Mongol law code
- Compass- a navigational tool that pinpoints North
3.1 II
Many migrations and expansions of civilizations such as the Scandinavians was due to environmental changes. These migrations influenced the exchange of technologies and language, the use of camels in the Sahara and horses in Central Asia came about as environmental adaptations. Bantu and Polynesian migrations allowed for the expansion of agriculture and language as seen by Swahili.
"Overland trade traveled mostly by camel caravan. Although they are unpleasant and often uncooperative beasts, camels endure the rigors of desert travel much better than oxen, horses, or donkeys. Moreover, when fitted with a well-designed saddle, camels can carry heavy loads." (Bentley 361)
Merchants in the Middle East adapted to their environments and began to use camels as modes of transportation because they were best suited for the dry, sandy areas. The development of environmental problem solving is seen vastly as trade networks expand and more efficient transportation is needed.
Merchants in the Middle East adapted to their environments and began to use camels as modes of transportation because they were best suited for the dry, sandy areas. The development of environmental problem solving is seen vastly as trade networks expand and more efficient transportation is needed.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/400px-pouring-gold_orig.jpg)
- Metallurgy- the study of metallic elements
- Swahili- a language that is a mixture of Arabic and Bantu languages
- Longship- ships that the Scandinavians used to travel long distances and unpredictable weather
- Saddle- a seat for riders to mount and ride a horse or camel
- Polynesian Migrations- migrations that began in SE Asia and eventually spread to islands as far as Hawaii
3.1 III
Afro-Eurasian trade was able to expand due to new networks of communication and transport. Ever since Islam was founded in the Arabian Peninsula, it began to rapidly spread, this opened up networks for trade and exchange between a numerous number of different regions. With these opening transportation networks, travelers would explore different regions and write about their encounters, these writings provide us with knowledge on these post-classical civilizations.
"By the tenth century, urban growth was affecting the countryside by expanding the consumer market. Citrus fruits, rice, and sugar cane, introduced by the Sasanids, increased in acreage and spread to new areas. Cotton became a major crop in Iran and elsewhere and stimulated textile production." (Bulliet 228)
This shows the effect that the Islam community had on the spread of crops and and the expansion of trade in the post-classical era. The growing Islam community opened up many new opportunities of trade with a larger variety of regions.
This shows the effect that the Islam community had on the spread of crops and and the expansion of trade in the post-classical era. The growing Islam community opened up many new opportunities of trade with a larger variety of regions.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/dar-al-islam.jpg?1511025731)
- Ibn Battuta- an Islamic writer who traveled to different regions and wrote of his encounters
- Ibn Rushd- an Islamic philosopher that understood Aristotle and helped to preserve undocumented Greek traditions
- Marco Polo- an Italian writer and traveler who wrote of his experiences with different cultures such as the Mongols in China
- Dar al Islam- a country where Islam is the ruling religion
- Genghis Khan- founder of the Mongol empire who helped to expand territories enormously
3.1 IV
Along with the exchange of knowledge, goods and culture, crops and pathogens were introduced into various regions. Some of these crops include bananas, cotton and sugar. Additionally, one of the most tragic pandemics in human history was spread over trade routes during this time. The Black Death originated in SE Asia and eventually made its way to Western Europe where it wiped our nearly one-third of the population.
"As in certain other parts of the world, the plague bacillus became endemic among rodent populations in parts of southwestern China and thus lingered long after its disappearance in West Asia and Europe. The disease followed trade and embassy routes to Korea, Japan, and Tibet" (Bulliet 273)
This explains the spread of the Bubonic Plague through not only rodent populations but also along trade routes. Outbreaks occurred in different regions due to the many interactions with infected areas, this explains the cause of the plague's arrival in Western Europe although it originated in SE Asia.
This explains the spread of the Bubonic Plague through not only rodent populations but also along trade routes. Outbreaks occurred in different regions due to the many interactions with infected areas, this explains the cause of the plague's arrival in Western Europe although it originated in SE Asia.
![Picture](/uploads/9/8/1/6/98164674/published/feat-plague.jpg?1511025783)
- Bubonic Plague- also known as the Black Death, this disease wiped out nearly 25 million people in just under 5 years
- Porcelain- ceramics traded by China as a luxury product
- Sufi- Islamic missionaries
- Umma- Islamic community
- Jizya- a tax on non-Muslims to promote conversion