Major Trades RoutesMajor Trades Routes Six Major Routes on or crossing three Six Major Routes on or crossing three

continents.continents.– AfricaAfrica– AsiaAsia– EuropeEurope

Trade routes connected most major Trade routes connected most major civilizations.civilizations.

Major Trades RoutesMajor Trades Routes

All of these routes would connect with others All of these routes would connect with others at certain points.at certain points.

This meant the world was connected by This meant the world was connected by trade, even if most people never knew it.trade, even if most people never knew it.

These trade routes are one of the biggest These trade routes are one of the biggest reasons cultural diffusion took place.reasons cultural diffusion took place.

These routes helped ideas, technologies, etc These routes helped ideas, technologies, etc spread across the entire world.spread across the entire world.

Indian Ocean

Routes from India to the Arabian Peninsula and

Africa

The Indian Ocean Maritime The Indian Ocean Maritime System System

The Indian Ocean maritime system linked the The Indian Ocean maritime system linked the lands bordering the Indian Ocean basin and lands bordering the Indian Ocean basin and the South China Sea the South China Sea

Trade took place in three distinct regions:Trade took place in three distinct regions:(1) the South China Sea, dominated by (1) the South China Sea, dominated by

Chinese and Malays Chinese and Malays (2) Southeast Asia to the east coast of (2) Southeast Asia to the east coast of

India, India, dominated by Malays and Indians dominated by Malays and Indians

(3) The west coast of India to the Persian (3) The west coast of India to the Persian Gulf and East Africa, dominated by Gulf and East Africa, dominated by Persians and Arabs Persians and Arabs

Trade in the Trade in the Indian Ocean was Indian Ocean was made possible by made possible by and followed the and followed the patterns of the patterns of the seasonal changes seasonal changes in the monsoon in the monsoon winds winds

Sailing technology Sailing technology unique to the unique to the Indian Ocean Indian Ocean system included system included the the lateen saillateen sail and a shipbuilding and a shipbuilding technique that technique that involved piercing involved piercing the planks, tying the planks, tying them together, them together, and caulking and caulking them.them.

Mastery of the

Monsoon Winds

Indian Ocean

Maritime Trade

Indian Ocean Maritime Trade

Climate Regions of South Asia

Because the distances traveled were Because the distances traveled were longer than in the Mediterranean, longer than in the Mediterranean, traders in the Indian Ocean system traders in the Indian Ocean system seldom retained political ties to their seldom retained political ties to their homelands, and war between the homelands, and war between the various lands participating in the various lands participating in the trade was rare trade was rare

Origins of Contact and Origins of Contact and Trade Trade

There is evidence of early trade There is evidence of early trade between ancient Mesopotamia and between ancient Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley the Indus Valley

This trade appears to have broken off This trade appears to have broken off as Mesopotamia turned more toward as Mesopotamia turned more toward trade with East Africa. trade with East Africa.

Two thousand years ago, Malay Two thousand years ago, Malay sailors from Southeast Asia migrated sailors from Southeast Asia migrated to the islands of Madagascar to the islands of Madagascar

India: Gujarat and the Malabar Coast

The state of Gujarat prospered from the Indian Ocean trade, exporting cotton textiles and indigo in return for gold and silver

Gujarat was not simply a commercial center; it was also a manufacturing center that produced textiles, leather goods, carpets, silk, and other commodities

Gujarat’s overseas trade was dominated by Muslims, but Hindus also benefited.

Calicut and other cities of the Malabar Coast exported cotton textiles and spices and served as clearing-houses for long-distance trade

The cities of the Malabar Coast were unified in a loose confederation whose rulers were tolerant of other religious and ethnic groups.

These migrants, however, did not These migrants, however, did not retain communications or trade with retain communications or trade with their homeland their homeland

Indian Ocean TradeGujarat / Malabar Coast

– Delhi Sultanate wealth– Trade: Cotton, linen, silk,

indigo To Middle East and Europe

– Manufacture Leather, jewelry, carpets

– Cambay, Calicut

Malacca– South China Sea passage

Political rivalries– Majapahit / Chinese

pirates

– Newer port city Alliances with Siam /

China Islamic conversion Meeting point for traders

from China and India

Cross-Cultural Exchanges Cross-Cultural Exchanges

on the Silk Roadson the Silk Roads

Long-Distance Travel in the Long-Distance Travel in the Ancient WorldAncient World

Lack of security / police enforcement Lack of security / police enforcement outside of established settlementsoutside of established settlements

Changed in classical periodChanged in classical period

– Improvement of infrastructureImprovement of infrastructure

– Development of empiresDevelopment of empires

Trade Networks DevelopTrade Networks Develop

Dramatic increase in trade due to Dramatic increase in trade due to Greek colonizationGreek colonization

Maintenance of roads, bridgesMaintenance of roads, bridges Discovery of Monsoon wind patternsDiscovery of Monsoon wind patterns Increased tariff revenues used to Increased tariff revenues used to

maintain open routesmaintain open routes

Trade in the Hellenistic Trade in the Hellenistic WorldWorld

Bactria/IndiaBactria/India– Spices, pepper, cosmetics, gems, pearlsSpices, pepper, cosmetics, gems, pearls

Persia, EgyptPersia, Egypt– GrainGrain

MediterraneanMediterranean– Wine, oil, jewelry, artWine, oil, jewelry, art

Development of professional merchant Development of professional merchant classclass

Development of infrastructure to Development of infrastructure to support tradesupport trade

The Silk RoadsThe Silk Roads

Named for principal commodity from Named for principal commodity from ChinaChina

Dependent on imperial stabilityDependent on imperial stability– Stable empires allowed merchants, Stable empires allowed merchants,

missionaries, and soldiers to travel and missionaries, and soldiers to travel and increase cross-cultural exchangeincrease cross-cultural exchange

Overland trade routes from China to Overland trade routes from China to Roman EmpireRoman Empire

Sea Lanes and Maritime trade as wellSea Lanes and Maritime trade as well

The Silk Road The Silk Road The Silk Road was an overland route that The Silk Road was an overland route that

linked China to the Mediterranean world via linked China to the Mediterranean world via Mesopotamia, Iran, and Central Asia Mesopotamia, Iran, and Central Asia

There were two periods of heavy use of the There were two periods of heavy use of the Silk Road: Silk Road:

– (1) 150 b.c.e.–907 c.e. (1) 150 b.c.e.–907 c.e.

– (2) The 13th through 17th centuries c.e. (2) The 13th through 17th centuries c.e.

Geography of the Silk RoadGeography of the Silk Road Silk Road stretched from Xi’an, China to RomeSilk Road stretched from Xi’an, China to Rome It covers a vast area of different climates and geographiesIt covers a vast area of different climates and geographies Taklimakan DesertTaklimakan Desert

– Occupies much of the routesOccupies much of the routes– Temperatures range from 104ºF to 122ºF in the summer, but can Temperatures range from 104ºF to 122ºF in the summer, but can

dip to -5ºF in the winterdip to -5ºF in the winter Travelers also had to contend with mountain ranges, deep Travelers also had to contend with mountain ranges, deep

ravines, and sandstormsravines, and sandstorms

Trade RouteTrade Route

DANGER….CAUTION!DANGER….CAUTION!– Harsh weather conditionsHarsh weather conditions

Floods, sandstorms, and winter Floods, sandstorms, and winter snows could throw you off the snows could throw you off the trade routestrade routes

– Robbers, thieves, and bandits!Robbers, thieves, and bandits!Stole your money, animals, Stole your money, animals, goodsgoods

Organization of Long-Distance Organization of Long-Distance TradeTrade

Divided into small segmentsDivided into small segments Tariffs and tolls finance local Tariffs and tolls finance local

supervisionsupervision Tax income incentives to maintain Tax income incentives to maintain

safety, maintenance of passagesafety, maintenance of passage

The Trade RouteThe Trade Route There was no one trade routeThere was no one trade route The routes resembled a chain linked together by The routes resembled a chain linked together by

Chinese, Asian, and European merchants Chinese, Asian, and European merchants Trade transacted in short segmentsTrade transacted in short segments

The origins of the Silk Road trade may The origins of the Silk Road trade may be located in the occasional trading of be located in the occasional trading of Central Asian nomads Central Asian nomads

Regular, large-scale trade was fostered Regular, large-scale trade was fostered by the Chinese demand for western by the Chinese demand for western products (particularly horses) products (particularly horses)

Trade was also increased by the Trade was also increased by the Parthian state in northeastern Iran and Parthian state in northeastern Iran and its control of the markets in its control of the markets in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia.

In addition to horses, China imported In addition to horses, China imported alfalfa, grapes, and a variety of other alfalfa, grapes, and a variety of other new crops as well as medicinal new crops as well as medicinal products, metals, and precious products, metals, and precious stones stones

China exported peaches and China exported peaches and apricots, spices, and manufactured apricots, spices, and manufactured goods including silk, pottery, and goods including silk, pottery, and paper paper

The Impact of the Silk Road The Impact of the Silk Road Trade Trade

Turkic nomads, who became the Turkic nomads, who became the dominant pastoralist group in Central dominant pastoralist group in Central Asia, benefited from the trade Asia, benefited from the trade

Their elites constructed houses, lived Their elites constructed houses, lived settled lives, and became interested settled lives, and became interested in foreign religions including in foreign religions including Christianity, Buddhism, and Christianity, Buddhism, and (eventually) Islam (eventually) Islam

Cultural Trade: Buddhism and Cultural Trade: Buddhism and HinduismHinduism

Merchants carry religious ideas along Merchants carry religious ideas along silk routessilk routes

India through central Asia to east AsiaIndia through central Asia to east Asia Cosmopolitan centers promote Cosmopolitan centers promote

development of monasteries to shelter development of monasteries to shelter traveling merchantstraveling merchants

Buddhism becomes dominant faith of Buddhism becomes dominant faith of silk roads, 200 BCE-700 CEsilk roads, 200 BCE-700 CE

The Spread of Epidemic The Spread of Epidemic DiseaseDisease

Role of trade routes in spread of pathogensRole of trade routes in spread of pathogens Limited data, but trends in demographics Limited data, but trends in demographics

reasonably clearreasonably clear Smallpox, measles, bubonic plagueSmallpox, measles, bubonic plague Effect: Economic slowdown, move to regional Effect: Economic slowdown, move to regional

self-sufficiencyself-sufficiency

Importance of the Silk RoadImportance of the Silk Road Empires expand their wealthEmpires expand their wealth

– Han Dynasty prospers by controlling silk tradeHan Dynasty prospers by controlling silk trade– All kingdoms require merchants to pay a tax to All kingdoms require merchants to pay a tax to

trade in their landstrade in their lands Improved transportationImproved transportation

– Building of new roads, bridges, ports, canalsBuilding of new roads, bridges, ports, canals Leads to the development of sea routesLeads to the development of sea routes

– Avoid the “middleman” Avoid the “middleman” lower prices for lower prices for buyersbuyers

– Safer than land routes as you can avoid banditsSafer than land routes as you can avoid bandits CULTURAL DIFFUSIONCULTURAL DIFFUSION

– People exposed to new ideas, cultures, beliefs, People exposed to new ideas, cultures, beliefs, and peopleand people

Sahara DesertSahara Desert

Trans-Saharan Routes spread Trans-Saharan Routes spread goods such as Gold and goods such as Gold and

Salt across the great Salt across the great desert.desert.

Indian OceanIndian Ocean

Routes from India to the Routes from India to the Arabian Peninsula and Arabian Peninsula and

AfricaAfrica

Indian Ocean TradeSwahili Coast

– sawahil al-sudan– Common language

and culture– Kilwa

Gold

Great Zimbabwe Copper, salt

Aden– Grain exporter– Convenient stopover– Commercial interests

outweigh religious / political differences

Africa: The Swahili Coast and Zimbabwe

By 1500, there were thirty or forty separate city-states along the East African coast participating in the Indian Ocean trade

The people of these coastal cities, the “Swahili” people, all spoke an African language enriched with Arabic and Persian vocabulary.

Swahili cities, including Kilwa, were famous as exporters of gold that was mined in or around the inland kingdom whose capital was Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe’s economy rested on agriculture, cattle herding, and trade.

The city declined due to an ecological crisis brought on by deforestation and overgrazing

Arabia: Aden and the Red Sea

Aden had enough rainfall to produce wheat for export and a location that made it a central transit point for trade from the Persian Gulf, East Africa, and Egypt

Aden’s merchants prospered on this trade and built what appeared to travelers to be a wealthy and impressive city.

In general, a common interest in trade allowed the various peoples and religions of the Indian Ocean basin to live in peace

Violence did sometimes break out, however, as when Christian Ethiopia fought with the Muslims of the Red Sea coast over control of trade.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes: Ancient trade routes Trans-Saharan Trade Routes: Ancient trade routes connected sub-Saharan West Africa to the Mediterranean connected sub-Saharan West Africa to the Mediterranean coast. Among the commodities carried southward were silk, coast. Among the commodities carried southward were silk, cotton, horses, and salt. Among those carried northward cotton, horses, and salt. Among those carried northward were gold, ivory, pepper, and slaves.were gold, ivory, pepper, and slaves.

GhanaGhana

old and powerfulold and powerful controlled the gold and salt tradecontrolled the gold and salt trade adopted Islam: 985 A.D.adopted Islam: 985 A.D.

– generated further conversion to the westgenerated further conversion to the west prosperousprosperous conquered by Berbers and Tuaregsconquered by Berbers and Tuaregs

Economic Exchange: GoldEconomic Exchange: Gold The Kingdom of Ghana became the most important The Kingdom of Ghana became the most important

commercial site in west Africa because it was the commercial site in west Africa because it was the center for trade in goldcenter for trade in gold

Ghana itself did not produce gold but the kings Ghana itself did not produce gold but the kings obtained gold from lands to the south and became obtained gold from lands to the south and became wealthy by controlling and taxing the tradewealthy by controlling and taxing the trade

Muslim merchants were especially eager to procure Muslim merchants were especially eager to procure gold for customers in the Mediterranean basin and gold for customers in the Mediterranean basin and the Islamic worldthe Islamic world

Ghana also provided ivory and slavesGhana also provided ivory and slaves– In exchange they received horses, cloth, small In exchange they received horses, cloth, small

manufactured wares, and saltmanufactured wares, and salt

MaliMali

successor statesuccessor state fell heir to most of the territory and fell heir to most of the territory and

commercial enterprises of Ghanacommercial enterprises of Ghana

Mali benefited from Mali benefited from trans-Sahara trade trans-Sahara trade even more than did even more than did GhanaGhana

From 13From 13thth until the until the late 15late 15thth Century Mali Century Mali controlled and taxed controlled and taxed almost all the trade almost all the trade passing through west passing through west AfricaAfrica

The most prominent The most prominent period was under the period was under the reign of Mansa Musa reign of Mansa Musa from 1312 to 1337from 1312 to 1337

Influence of Trade on Influence of Trade on ReligionReligion

Contact with Muslim merchants Contact with Muslim merchants encouraged sub-Sahara west Africans encouraged sub-Sahara west Africans and coastal east Africans to adopt Islamand coastal east Africans to adopt Islam

It served as a cultural foundation for It served as a cultural foundation for business relationshipsbusiness relationships– Yet African ruling elites and Yet African ruling elites and

merchants did not convert for purely merchants did not convert for purely mercenary reasons; they took their mercenary reasons; they took their new faith seriouslynew faith seriously

Trans-Saharan Slave TradeTrans-Saharan Slave Trade

Between North Africa and Black AfricaBetween North Africa and Black Africa 77ththC CE – introduction of the camel and C CE – introduction of the camel and

the caravan trade routesthe caravan trade routes Trans-Saharan route mutually Trans-Saharan route mutually

beneficial for Islamic world and beneficial for Islamic world and savanna states of Africasavanna states of Africa

9.4 million traded between 650-900 9.4 million traded between 650-900 AD (many died en route)AD (many died en route)

Social and Cultural Change

Architecture, Learning, and Religion

Commercial contacts and the spread of Islam led to a variety of social and cultural changes in which local cultures incorporated and changed ideas, customs and architectural styles from other civilizations.

African and Indian mosques are good examples of the synthesis of Middle Eastern and local architectural styles; in Ethiopia, a native tradition of rock carving led to the construction of eleven churches carved from solid rock.

In the field of education, the spread of Islam brought literacy to African peoples who first learned Arabic and then used the Arabic script to write their own languages.

In India literacy was already established, but the spread of Islam brought the development of a new Persian-influenced language (Urdu) and the papermaking technology.

As it spread to Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, Islam also brought with it the study of Islamic law and administration and Greek science, mathematics, and medicine.

Timbuktu, Delhi and Malacca were two new centers of Islamic learning.

Islam spread peacefully; forced conversions were rare.

Muslim domination of trade contributed to the spread of Islam as merchants attracted by the common moral code and laws of Islam converted and as Muslim merchants in foreign lands established households and converted their local wives and servants.

The Islamic destruction of the last center of Buddhism in India contributed to the spread of Islam in that country.

Islam brought social and cultural changes to the communities that converted, but Islam itself was changed, developing differently in African, Indian, and Indonesian societies.

Social and Gender Distinctions

The gap between elites and the common people widened in tropical societies as the wealthy urban elites prospered from the increased Indian Ocean trade.

Slavery increased in both Africa and in India. An estimated 2.5 million African slaves were exported across the Sahara and the Red Sea between 1200 and 1500, while more were shipped from the cities of the Swahili coast.

Most slaves were trained in specific skills; in some cases, hereditary military slaves could become rich and powerful.

Other slaves worked at hard menial jobs like copper mining, while others, particularly women, were employed as household servants and entertainers.

The large number of slaves meant that the price of slaves was quite low.

While there is not much information on possible changes in the status of women in the tropics, some scholars speculate that restrictions on women were eased somewhat in Hindu societies.

Nonetheless, early arranged marriage was the rule for Indian women, and they were expected to obey strict rules of fidelity and chastity.

Women’s status was generally determined by the status of their male masters.

However, women did practice certain skills other than child rearing.

These included cooking, brewing, farm work, and spinning.

It is difficult to tell what effect the spread of Islam might have had on women.

It is clear that in some places, such as Mali, Muslims did not adopt the Arab practice of veiling and secluding women.

Social and Cultural ChangeArchitecture Mosques

Old traditions & new influence

Clay, coral, reuse

Education– Centers of education /

literacy Arabic in Africa Urdu in India

– Persian and Hindi influence

– papermaking

– Higher learning Islamic law, theology,

administration Classical Greek scholarship Timbuktu

– Quranic schools– Profit in books

Social and Cultural ChangeSpread of Islam

– Mainly urban– Commercial interests– Marriage– Upheaval

Buddhism in India– Destruction of last

strongholds

Social Issues– Wealth gap

Commerce and conquest– Slavery

Rising prosperity of the elites

2.5 million from Africa– Women

Sati as ‘optional’ Home, farm, manufacture