Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c.

1450
[2.1: THE SILK ROADS]
Causes of the Growth of Exchange Networks
1. The Crusades helped pave the way to expanding networks of exchange, as lords and their armies of
knights brought back fabrics and spices from the East.
2. How did different groups help create a second golden age of the Silk Road?
Different groups helped create a second golden age of the Silk Road by reopening and protecting trade
routes. Arab merchants revived land and sea routes, while Tang China supplied valuable goods and new
technologies that increased trade.

3. Which group had the biggest influence over the Silk Road as the whole trade route was under their
control and protection? The Mongols had the biggest influence because they controlled most of the Silk
Road, protected merchants, improved roads, and made travel safer.

Effects of the Growth of Exchange Networks

4. How did trade result in flourishing cities throughout the Silk Road?
Trade helped cities grow along the Silk Road because travelers relied on them for water, food, and trade,
turning places like Kashgar and Samarkand into busy trade centers.

5. Explain how economics changed as a result of Silk Road trade.

Economics changed as new systems like paper money and banking made long-distance trade easier and
more efficient.

[2.2: THE MONGOL EMPIRE AND THE MODERN WORLD]

The Mongols and Their Surroundings
6. The Mongols lived in the semi-arid steppes of Northeast Asia as nomads, raising horses and other
livestock. Theorize how a group such as this would go on to conquer nearly all of Asia.
Living as nomads on the harsh steppes made the Mongols skilled horse riders and warriors. Their
mobility, discipline, and strong military strategies allowed them to move quickly, surprise enemies, and
defeat larger, wealthier societies across Asia.

Genghis Khan
7. Trace the history and conquests of Genghis Khan as leader of the Mongols.
Genghis Khan was born as Temujin and united the Mongol clans through alliances and conquest. He led
campaigns against the Jin Empire, Central Asia, and the Islamic Khwarazm Empire, creating an empire
that stretched from northern China to Persia by 1227.

Mongolian Empire Expands

8. Describe Mongol rule in the following regions
Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450
a. The Golden Horde
The Mongols ruled northern Russia indirectly by allowing local rulers to stay in power as long as
they paid tribute. Their rule caused destruction at first but later pushed Russian states to
centralize power and strengthen their military.

b. The Islamic Heartlands

Under Hulegu, the Mongols destroyed Baghdad and ended the Abbasid Caliphate. They ruled
through Persian officials to collect taxes efficiently, and after converting to Islam, they favored
Muslims and persecuted Jews and Christians.

c. The Yuan Dynasty

Kublai Khan ruled China by adopting many Chinese traditions and creating the Yuan Dynasty.
His rule brought religious tolerance, stability, and increased trade, but later Mongol policies
angered the Chinese and led to rebellion and the fall of the dynasty.

The Long-Term Impact of the Mongolian Invasion

9. Fill in the blank about impacts of the Mongol Empire
a. The Mongols also ended walled cities and some feudal practices with the cannon, considered a
Mongol invention based on Chinese, Muslim, and Europe techniques combined.
b. During the period known as the Pax Mongolica Mongols revitalized interregional trade between
Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe while also building and guarding new roads.
c. The Black Death spread along trade routes into China, Central Asia and eventual Southeast Asia
and Europe, carried on fleas.
d. Mongols conquered a larger area than the Romans and their bloody reputation was well-earned,
becoming the largest continuous land empire in history.
e. Mongol fighting techniques led to the end of Western Europe’s use of knights in armor since
they could not ready themselves in time against the rapid Mongol assaults.
f. The Mongols successfully ruled due to their centralized power as well as a single international
law that kingdoms used after their decline.
g. Cultural exchange occurred under the Mongols such as Islamic science, Chinese printing press,
and Greco-Islamic medical knowledge and Arabic numbering into Western Europe.

[2.3: EXCHANGE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN]

Causes of Expanded Exchange in the Indian Ocean
10. How is the spread of Islam connected to increased Indian Ocean trade?
The spread of Islam connected more cities across the Indian Ocean and created a network of Muslim
merchants who transported goods between South Asia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia, increasing
trade.

11. Why are new maritime technologies and knowledge of the environment necessary for Indian Ocean
trade?
Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450
New maritime technologies, like lateen sails and the stern rudder, along with knowledge of monsoon
winds, were necessary to navigate the ocean safely and efficiently, allowing merchants to plan their
voyages and reach distant ports.

Effects of Expanded Exchange in the Indian Ocean

12. Why are diasporic communities important for cultural exchange?
Diasporic communities spread culture by bringing their traditions, religions, and skills to new lands
while also adopting local customs, creating a mix of cultures and ideas.

13. How did some states respond to the increase of demand goods in Asia or Africa?
Some states responded to increased demand by controlling trade and collecting taxes or fees. For
example, Gujarat acted as a key trading hub between East and West, and Swahili city-states gained
wealth by trading goods like gold, ivory, and slaves.

[2.4: TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE ROUTES]

West African Empire Expansion
14. Describe the rise of West Africa’s kingdoms during this period of Trans-Saharan Trade.
West Africa’s kingdoms grew wealthy from Trans-Saharan trade. Mali rose after Ghana declined, with
cities like Timbuktu and Gao becoming trade and Islamic learning centers. Leaders like Sundiata and
Mansa Musa strengthened trade, Islam, and political power.
[2.5: CULTURAL CONSEQUENCES OF CONNECTIVITY]
Religious, Cultural, and Technological Effects of Interaction
15. How did Buddhism influence various regions of East and Southeast Asia?
Buddhism spread from India to China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. In China, it blended with
Daoism to form Chan (Zen) Buddhism and shaped literature and art. In Korea, it attracted peasants,
while Confucianism appealed to elites. In Southeast Asia, Hindu and Buddhist traditions influenced
empires like Srivijaya, Majapahit, and the Khmer Empire.

16. Using the chart, summarize the cultural influence of Islamic expansion
a. Africa
Swahili language blended Bantu and Arabic; Timbuktu became a learning center; rulers
strengthened ties through pilgrimages.
b. South Asia
Islam attracted Buddhists and lower-caste Hindus, influenced architecture, and shaped Urdu;
Bhakti poets linked Hinduism and Islam.
c. Southeast Asia
Muslim rulers blended Indian, local, and Chinese influences; stories, puppetry, and poetry
Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450
adopted Islamic elements.

17. What factors contributed to the growth of cities? What factors contributed to the decline of cities?
Political stability, Safe trade routes, Increased commerce, Labor supply and agricultural output
Instability and invasions, Disease (Black Death), Decline in farming
18. Why would the Crusades benefit and hurt Europe?
Benefited Europe by increasing knowledge, trade, and new goods; hurt Europe by spreading disease and
causing warfare.
Travelers’ Tales
19. Describe how the following travelers experiences allowed to spread information on cultures.
a. Marco Polo
Traveled to China in the late 13th century and recorded its wealth, cities, and trade practices,
giving Europeans detailed insights into Asian culture and commerce.
b. Ibn Battuta
Journeyed across Muslim lands in Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and China,
documenting Islamic rulers, scholars, and local customs, spreading knowledge of the Islamic
world.

c. Margery Kempe
Dictated her autobiography of pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Rome, and other European sites, sharing
both her spiritual visions and the everyday life of a middle-class woman, offering unique insight
into medieval European society.
[2.6: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF CONNECTIVITY]
Agricultural Effects of Exchange Networks
20. Champa rice was a brain new, quick growing, grain that originated in India became a massive tool for
trade and led to population explosions as well as migrations in China
21. New foods were also available at markets along with Silk roads. The markets of Samarkand introduced
new fruits and vegetables as well as rice and citrus products from Southwest Asia to Europe.
22. What are some examples of environmental degradation as a result of boosts to agricultural productivity?
Environmental degradation included overgrazing at Great Zimbabwe, deforestation and soil erosion in
Europe, and the Little Ice Age, which lowered crop yields and contributed to the Mayans’ decline.
Spread of Epidemics through Exchange Networks
23. What was the most devastating disease during this timeframe? Which region was hit the hardest?
The Black Death, which hit Europe the hardest, killing about a third of the population.

24. How did trade cause the spread of diseases such as this plague?
Trade spread the disease because fleas carrying the plague traveled on animals and people along trade
routes, including caravans and caravanserais where humans and animals were in close contact.
Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450
[2.7: COMPARISON OF ECONOMIC EXCHANGE]
Similarities Among Networks of Exchange
25. How were the origins of these trade networks similar?
They all grew from earlier trade routes created by agrarian societies and expanded as kingdoms and
empires stabilized and controlled the routes.

26. How were the purposes of these trade networks similar?

They were primarily economic, allowing people to exchange goods they produced for goods they
wanted, but also facilitated the movement of diplomats, missionaries, and ideas.

27. How were the effects of these trade networks similar?

They led to the growth of trading cities, encouraged centralization, supported strong governments, and
created a need for standardized currencies.

Different Among Networks of Exchange

28. Fill in the chart based on the differences of goods, transportation, and religious diffusion of these three major trade networks from 1200 to 1450.

Route Goods Transportation Religion

Silk Roads Silk, tea, spices, dyes, Horses, camels Buddhism from south Asia to east
neo-Confucianism from China to Korea,
porcelain, paper, rice, Japan, and vietnam
tech: saddles, caravanserai
gunpowder, horses, saddles, Islam from southwest Asia to south Asia
fruit, domestic animals,
honey, textiles

Indian Ocean & Gold, Ivory, Quartz, Animal Dhows, Junks Buddhism from south asia to east
Mediterranean neo-Confucianism from China to Korea,
Basin/Sea skins, Citrus, fruits, dates, Japan, and Vietnam
Tech: Stern rudder, lateen sail,
books, textiles, peppers, astrolabe, magnetic compass Islam from southwest asia to south asia
pearls Christianity from Mediterranean basin

Trans-Saharan Horses, books, salt, gold, Caravans of camels for carrying Islam from southwest Asia and north
goods Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa
ivory, cloth, enslaved people people walked a good amount

tech: Saddles to increase load

bearing

Social Implication of Networks of Exchange

29. Why did labor need to change as a result of the networks of exchange?
Growing trade increased production and required more workers, including peasants, artisans, enslaved
people, and organized labor for large projects.

30. In what ways did the role of women change and stay the same as a result of networks of exchange?
Chapter 2: Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450
Most societies stayed patriarchal, but some women gained more roles, such as Mongol women advising
rulers, European women in guilds, and Southeast Asian women running markets.