Movement of People and Goods: Thematic Essay

Age of Exploration-Columbian Exchange Reason for the Establishment of the Trade Route Columbus’ Discovery of the Americas European demand for Asian Goods (spices/silver) Improved European technology and navigation techniques Describe Route/Areas Involved Europe, New World (N.+S. America), Africa Triangular Trade: Europe sends finished goods (firearms) to Africa for slaves, Slaves go to new world to provide labor (MIDDLE PASSAGE), New World produces raw materials (Sugar, Tobacco, Cotton) that go to Europe ATLANTIC OCEAN

Age of Exploration-Columbian Exchange Positive Effects New food crops (potatoes) Increases global population Domesticated Animals --> New World, provides a new source of labor Increased cultural diffusion: Medicine, Religion, Government, Language (SPANISH) Increased European Wealth (Commercial Revolution) Negative Effects Epidemic Diseases (Smallpox) – Kills off native populations Atlantic slave trade begins due to demand for slave labor Mercantilism – Colony exists to benefit the mother country, Europeans exploit the New World people and environment

MONGOLS – Pax Mongolia Reason for the Establishment of the Trade Route Mongol Conquests in 13th and 14th Centuries Brutal Warriors: Cavalry and Archery EURASIAN STEPPE Mongols are nomads so they NEED TRADE TO SURVIVE Largest contiguous land empire in history Describe Route/Areas Involved Eurasia (Eastern Europe, South Asia, Middle East, East Asia): China to Europe Silk Road – Overland trade route that connects China to Europe

MONGOLS – Pax Mongolia Positive Effects Negative Effects Increased Cultural Diffusion: EASTERN HEMISPHERE IS TRADING Mongols were religiously tolerant China is OPENED up to foreign trade New Technology Spreads: Printing, GUNPOWDER Negative Effects Epidemic Diseases (PLAGUE) – Creates Havoc in Western Europe Mongols were Harsh rulers Russia was Isolated from Western Europe so did not experience the Renaissance or Commercial Revolution

Movement of People and Goods (Cultural Diffusion) Example: Silk Road Where: Eurasia (Europe + Asia) Description: The Silk Road is an overland trade route that was created in the Classical Era. It runs from East Asia (China) through to the Middle East. Europeans can access Asia goods in the Middle East.

How Did it Allow for Cultural Diffusion During PAX MONGOLIA (Mongol Golden Age) there is safe and effective trade along the Silk Road  Increased Interactions Golden Age – Period of Peace and Prosperity Due to increased trade/travel the plague spreads from Asia to Europe. Kills 1/3 of Europe’s population, creates labor shortages and destroys much of western Europe. The Mongols conquered vast empire using advanced technology. Gunpowder diffuses from Asia to Europe. Europeans use gunpowder to develop modern weapons. With advanced technology the Europeans are able to become imperialistic and develop mercantile economies.

Movement of People and Goods (Cultural Diffusion) Example: Discovery of Americas/Encounter Where: Atlantic Ocean-Europe, Africa, Americas Description: Christopher Columbus discovers America in 1492. Europeans colonize America quickly due to Superior Technology. They begin to colonize the Americas and establish Mercantilism (Colonies Exist to Benefit the Mother Country). African slaves are imported to provide labor to the Americas.

How Did it Allow for Cultural Diffusion Columbian Exchange – Global transfer of food/goods/ideas following the discovery of the Americas. Epidemic diseases (smallpox) killed up to 90% of the Native populations in the Americas. Creates a demand for labor (slaves). African slaves are taken out of Africa which ruins their economy because all strong males were taken out. Europe gets raw materials (cash crops) such as sugar turns the into finished products by industrialization and sells them back to the colonies (Mercantilism) Europeans get new food crops (Corn, Potato) which improves their diet significantly.