1. Communication and Trade Networks
Period 2 600BCE-600CE
Adaptation of AP World History Crash Course
by Jay Harmon
Communication and Trade Networks

2. The Land Networks of Africa, Europe and Asia
Geography
Determined what, where, and by whom
Climate and topography (mountains, plains, etc) determine where minerals can be found, types of plants that can be grown, where ports and passes exist
Merchants needed safe paths
Trade happens because people want goods
Salt needed to preserve food
Merchants were willing to do it to get nice payoffs
Afro-Eurasian trade is like a web allowing merchants to make trade “relays”.

3. The Silk Roads
Most extensive land based trade route at the time named after the highly valued silk that was traded
For centuries only the Chinese knew how to make silk-light, soft and durable.
Other items traded
East Asia to the west: horses, spices, furs, ivory, perfumes, lacquered boxes and furniture, rice, wool, tea, and porcelain (known as “China”)
South Asia to east and west: cotton, spices, sandalwood, rice
Central Asia to east, west, and south: dates, almonds, fruit, camels, horses
West to east and south: glass, gold, furs, amber, cattle, olive oil and perfumes

4. Exchange of grains and fabric changed farming techniques-qanat system
Merchants and missionaries from South Asia intoduced Buddhism
Disease was also transported along the Silk Roads
Pandemic (widespread) diseases such as the bubonic plague (the Black Death)

5. Saharan Caravan Routes
Commerce across North Africa
Mediterranean coastal cities provided ports and resources
Dates, cotton, dyes, leather, and glass were supplied from these ports
Merchants who ventured into the Saharan desert traded gold, salt, ivory, animal hides and slaves
The camel
Around 1st century CE introduced as a means of transporting goods which led to a major increase in trade
In the next era, Islam was carried along these routes

6. The Sea Networks of Africa, Europe and Asia
Indian Ocean Trading Network
Largest sea trading area in the world until the late 1400s
Connected Southeast Asia and China to Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia
Major conveyor of Buddhism and later in the next era Islam
Similar items to the Silk Roads: silk, cotton, spices, horses, ivory, gold, porcelain, and people
All sea trade depended on ocean currents and wind
The monsoon winds blow along east African coast toward South Asia in the summer and down the east African coast in the winter. This natural “clock” helped merchants plan the timing and content of their shipments
Small but seaworthy trading ships used by Arab merchants called dhows, used a triangular lateen sail to follow these winds

7. Mediterranean Trading Areas
Beginning with the Egyptians and Phonetians and continuing with Greeks and Romans
Olives, pottery, glass, woodwork, leather, and wool
Out of Africa merchants traded gold, ivory, salt, copper, and slaves
Christianity also moved along these routes
Black Sea Trading Areas
Asia on the east and Europe on the west
Constantinople (Byzantium) was a great point of exchange
Carried goods from Silk Roads, the Mediterranean, and Russia

8. Exchanging Goods in the Americas
Much smaller scale exchange
Far fewer people in the Americas. 12 million out of the 250 million on Earth at the time
Few types of domesticated animals and no wheel until Europeans arrived in 1400CE
The llama and alpaca were used in Andes and in other parts of the Americas dogs pulled sleds
Narrow jungle terrain of the Isthmus of Panama made it difficult to trade from North to South
Trade did occur in relay fashion
Tobacco, corn, manufactured goods like pottery, jewelry, and clothing.