AIM: Was the Silk Road the internet highway of the ancient world? DO NOW: What is a dynasty? . .

WHAT DO WE GET FROM THE INTERNET?

#1 GLOBALIZATION- described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and functioning together.

What do you see? How can we compare this to the internet of today? Why was this important to global history?

#2 SILK ROAD - a 4,000 mile trade route that stretched from China to the Fertile Crescent in southwestern Asia (opened up by the Han Dynasty)

#3 MERCHANT - a person whose job is to buy, sell & trade goods #3 MERCHANT - a person whose job is to buy, sell & trade goods. (salesman or businessman)

THE CHINESE WANTED TO MAKE A PROFIT ($) FROM SELLING SILK. WHY DID CHINA OPENED UP THIS TRADE ROUTE? THE CHINESE WANTED TO MAKE A PROFIT ($) FROM SELLING SILK.

CULTURAL DIFFUSION - the exchanging of goods and ideas from one culture to another usually done through trade and war. THE SILK ROAD IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CULTURAL DIFFUSION. WHY?

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE TRAVELING ON THE SILK ROAD?

I am Nanivandak, a merchant from Samarkand I am Nanivandak, a merchant from Samarkand. I travel for many months from my hometown to Chang’an to buy and sell goods. Along the route I meet many different people. Yet, although we all come from various places, we all speak the language of the Silk Road - Arabic. Ever since I was a young man, I have traveled to Chang’an. I even remember my first trip with my uncle. We had to take the Northern Silk Road, rather than the Southern. Other merchants and travelers warned us about the Tibetan troops near Kashgar.

The journey is dangerous The journey is dangerous. The mountains are full of pit falls and freezing temperatures. As we move closer into China, the terrain (land) and climate once again changes. The spring the melting snows cause avalanches. The journey is not only hard for us, but also our animals. We need to collect fresh horses every so often. Soon we will be exchanging our horses for camels. Camels are the only animals that can carry the goods and us across the desert. Yet , they are expensive $ , and we need to provide for their care on top of paying 14 bolts of silk for each animal. We are held responsible for any injury or death that occurs to our camels. I have seen my uncle willing to sacrifice a man or woman if it meant saving a camel.

My uncle and I whenever possible, travel with other merchants My uncle and I whenever possible, travel with other merchants. Safety is my uncle’s main concern. We hear enough horror stories about the lack of water, sudden windstorms and even sandstorms. Sometimes we come across bones of small groups who broke away or decided to take a less traveled road. The greatest threat is the bandits (thieves). The trip is worthwhile if we survive. We take home the profits and more goods to be sold back to our homeland. We brought with us glass, carpets and brass to sell in Chang’an. The Buddhists monks need the brass for their statues. Chang’an is a merchant’s paradise. The market place has 3000 stalls representing 200 merchant guilds in the city. The city is beautiful. Soon with the help of Allah, I will be there in the comfort and beauty of the city.

Answer the aim question on the index card Answer the aim question on the index card. Make sure your name is on the card.