AP World 2.1 - Silk Roads
Expansion and
Intensification of
Communication and
Exchange Networks
Although Afro-Eurasia and the Americas remained separate from one another, this era
witnessed a deepening and widening of old and new networks of human interaction
within and across regions. The results were unprecedented concentrations of wealth
and the intensification of cross-cultural exchanges. Innovations in transportation, state
policies, and mercantile practices contributed to the expansion and development of
commercial networks, which in turn served as conduits for cultural, technological, and
biological diffusion within and between various societies. Pastoral or nomadic groups
played a key role in creating and sustaining these networks. Expanding networks
fostered greater interregional borrowing, while at the same time sustaining regional
diversity. The prophet Muhammad promoted Islam, a new major monotheistic religion
at the start of this period. It spread quickly through practices of trade, warfare, and
diffusion characteristic of this period. Improved transportation technologies and
commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade, and expanded the
geographical range of existing and newly active trade networks.
, Existing trade routes flourished and promoted the growth of powerful new trading
cities. (Examples of new trading cities: Novgorod, Timbuktu, Swahili city-states,
Hangzhou, Calicut, Baghdad, Melaka, Venice, Tenochtitlan, Cahokia)
Examples of existing trade routes:
● The Silk Roads
● The Mediterranean Sea
● The Trans-Saharan
● The Indian Ocean basins
The growth of interregional trade in luxury goods (Ex: silk and cotton textiles, porcelain,
spices, slaves, precious metals/gems) was encouraged by significant innovations in
previously existing transportation and commercial technologies, including more
sophisticated caravan organization (Ex: caravanserai, camel saddles); use of the
compass, astrolabe, and larger ship designs in sea travel; and new forms of credit and
monetization (Ex: bills of exchange, credit, checks, banking houses).
Historical Developments
● Improved commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade and
expanded the geographical range of existing trade routes--including the Silk
Roads--promoting the growth of powerful new trading cities.
● Demand for luxury goods increased in Afro-Eurasia. Chinese, Persian, and Indian
artisans and merchants expanded their production of textiles and porcelains for
export; manufacture of iron and steel expanded in China.
● The growth of interregional trade in luxury goods was encouraged by innovations
in previously existing transportation and commercial technologies, including the
caravanserai, forms of credit, and the development of money economies.
Expansion and
Intensification of
Communication and
Exchange Networks
Although Afro-Eurasia and the Americas remained separate from one another, this era
witnessed a deepening and widening of old and new networks of human interaction
within and across regions. The results were unprecedented concentrations of wealth
and the intensification of cross-cultural exchanges. Innovations in transportation, state
policies, and mercantile practices contributed to the expansion and development of
commercial networks, which in turn served as conduits for cultural, technological, and
biological diffusion within and between various societies. Pastoral or nomadic groups
played a key role in creating and sustaining these networks. Expanding networks
fostered greater interregional borrowing, while at the same time sustaining regional
diversity. The prophet Muhammad promoted Islam, a new major monotheistic religion
at the start of this period. It spread quickly through practices of trade, warfare, and
diffusion characteristic of this period. Improved transportation technologies and
commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade, and expanded the
geographical range of existing and newly active trade networks.
, Existing trade routes flourished and promoted the growth of powerful new trading
cities. (Examples of new trading cities: Novgorod, Timbuktu, Swahili city-states,
Hangzhou, Calicut, Baghdad, Melaka, Venice, Tenochtitlan, Cahokia)
Examples of existing trade routes:
● The Silk Roads
● The Mediterranean Sea
● The Trans-Saharan
● The Indian Ocean basins
The growth of interregional trade in luxury goods (Ex: silk and cotton textiles, porcelain,
spices, slaves, precious metals/gems) was encouraged by significant innovations in
previously existing transportation and commercial technologies, including more
sophisticated caravan organization (Ex: caravanserai, camel saddles); use of the
compass, astrolabe, and larger ship designs in sea travel; and new forms of credit and
monetization (Ex: bills of exchange, credit, checks, banking houses).
Historical Developments
● Improved commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade and
expanded the geographical range of existing trade routes--including the Silk
Roads--promoting the growth of powerful new trading cities.
● Demand for luxury goods increased in Afro-Eurasia. Chinese, Persian, and Indian
artisans and merchants expanded their production of textiles and porcelains for
export; manufacture of iron and steel expanded in China.
● The growth of interregional trade in luxury goods was encouraged by innovations
in previously existing transportation and commercial technologies, including the
caravanserai, forms of credit, and the development of money economies.
