Transcript Global Trade Networks Part I PPTx

Global Trade Networks:
Silk Roads, Sand Roads, and
Sea Roads up to 600 CE
Development of the Silk Roads
• Nomadic pastoral peoples facilitated trade
– Sogdians, Parthians, Bactrians, Arabs
• Advanced empires provided products and
protection for merchants
• Merchants
developed into
distinct social group
• Primarily traded
luxury goods
– Small items with
high value
Silk Roads
• Network of pathways and trading centers
• Connected China, Central Asia, India, Middle East,
and Europe
– Declined with the collapse of classical civilizations
China
• Han Dynasty expanded into Central
Asia
• Traders began in Chang’an (Xi’an)
and travelled westwards
• Chinese traded silk for
“heavenly horses”
from Central Asia
• Also traded porcelain,
jade, lacquerware,
paper
Silk Production in China
• Silk spun as cocoon by bombyx moth after eating
mulberry leaves
Silk Production
• Silk production was
heavily-guarded
secret
• Silk production
restricted to women
• Initially only the
emperor and
dignitaries could
wear silk
Caravans
• Camels can handle harsh mountains, steppes,
deserts
• Caravans provided protection for long-distance
traders
Central Asia
• Oasis trading centers
developed into thriving
commercial cities
– Kashgar, Turfan, Khotan,
Bukhara, Samarkand, Merv
• Major conversion to
Buddhism by 1st
century CE
– Construction of
monasteries,
sculptures, artwork
Dunhuang Caves
• Complex of 492
caves showcasing
Buddhist literature,
artwork, sculptures
Dunhuang Caves
Persia and the Middle East
• Parthian and Sassanian Empires acted as early
intermediaries between Romans/Byzantines
and Chinese/Indians
• Islam spread
in late 600s
– Arabs
became
major
traders on
Silk Roads
Palmyra
Palmyra
• “Bride of the Desert”
• Wealthy and important
caravan resting stop
• Link between
Mediterranean ports
and Persia
Antioch
• Vital western trading city on the
Silk Roads
• Goods were shipped to Rome or
began the journey eastwards
Economic Exchange on the Silk Roads
Region
Products Contributed to Silk Road Commerce
China
Silk, bamboo, mirrors, gunpowder, paper, rhubarb, ginger,
lacquerware, chrysanthemums
Siberian forests &
Central Asian steppes
Furs, walrus tusks, amber, livestock, horses, falcons, hides,
copper vessels, tents, saddles, slaves
India
Cotton textiles, herbal medicines, precious stones, spices
Middle East
Dates, nuts, almonds, dried fruit, dyes, lapis lazuli, swords
Mediterranean
Gold coins, glassware, glazes, grapes, jewelry, perfume, wool
and linen textiles, olive oil
Spread of Religion
• Zoroastrianism to India
• Buddhism to Central Asia,
Southeast Asia, China
• Hinduism to Southeast Asia
• Christianity to Axum, India, China
• Islam to India, Southeast Asia,
North, East, and West Africa
Trade and Religion
Caravanserai
• Protection and resting stops for
caravan traders
– Provided water and fodder for
animals
• Baths, water for
ritual cleansing
Caravanserai
Mediterranean Trade
Mediterranean Trade
• Roman Empire controlled the entire sea
– Mare Nostrum
– Ended threat of piracy
• Romans and Greeks produced olives, grapes,
wool
• Byzantines and Muslims had weak navies
• Italian city-states used
naval power to
dominate
Mediterranean trade
in the Middle Ages
Galley
• First developed by the Phoenicians
– Later used by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs,
Venetians, Genoese, Ottomans, Spanish
• Multi-oared ships used for trade and warfare
until the 19th century
• Used either sails
or rowing for
propulsion
Sea Routes and Indian Ocean Trade
Indian Ocean Trade
• Monsoon winds
provided reliable
source of power
– Blew eastward in the
summer
– Blew westward in the
winter
• Transportation costs
were lower
– Ships could carry larger
and heavier cargo
India
• Roman sailors reached
India by 1st century CE
• Spices were prominent
items traded
– Cotton, pepper,
cinnamon
Spices
Trans-Saharan Trade
• Gold, copper, ivory,
and slaves were
exported for salt and
textiles
• Trade increases with
arrival of Islam
• Connected North
Africa with West
African kingdoms
– Ghana, Mali, Songhay,
Kanem-Bornu
Trans-Saharan Trade
• Camels introduced from Arabia in 3rd century BCE
– Replaced donkeys and horses after 300 CE