The Silk Road was one of the most important trade routes in history It connected Eastern Asia to the rest of Eurasia. Many ideas, goods, and inventions were diffused along the Silk Road

The Silk Road was not one single road – there was several different branches that developed, passing through different oasis settlements The trade route starts in Chang’an in China and ends in different branches in different areas of Europe It was comprised of both land and sea routes

EEastern Eurasia is cut off from Western Eurasia thanks to many geographical boundaries West of China : Taklimakan Desert (Aka: Land of Death) Northeast of Taklimakan : Gobi Desert South of Taklimakan : Himalayas, Karakorum, and Kunlun ranges North and West of Taklimakan : Taishan and Pamir ranges

Trade Along the Silk Road Silk, porcelain, gunpowder, and paper were exports of China. Buddhism traveled on the Silk Road and became prominent in China and other places. Wool, ivory, slaves, and spices were imported to China.

M ARCO P OLO ( ) A venetian merchant who traveled on the Silk Road starting in 1271 His journey lasted 24 years He brought ivory, jade, jewels, porcelain, and silk from China His journey was recorded by Rustichello da Pisa in the book, The Travels of Marco Polo

Sailed from Venice across the Mediterranean Sea to Acre (Israel) From Acre he traveled to Hormuz (Iran) From Hormuz he turned back because of the dangerous journey and untrustworthy boats Went north to travel along the land routes of the Silk Road Went pass the Pamir Mountains to Kashgar and two deserts to go to Shangdu to meet the current ruler of China, Kublai Khan. MARCO POLO’S JOURNEY TO CHINA

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M arco Polo served on the Khan's court and was sent on special missions in China, Burma, and India D uring the Yuan Dynasty, Mongols secured trade routes and had elaborate courier networks. T hey maintained order for traveling merchants so it was easy and safe for Marco Polo to travel.  Kublai Khan giving Marco Polo a Piaza (a gold permit to travel).

The height of the Silk Road was during the Tang dynasty, when China had relative internal stability. The height of the Silk Road was during the Tang dynasty, when China had relative internal stability. The Mongolian empires gave way to increased interaction between cultures of different regions via the Silk Road. The Mongolian empires gave way to increased interaction between cultures of different regions via the Silk Road. Marco Polo traveled on the Silk Road starting in 1271 The Silk Road declined after the fall of the Mongolian Empires

Question 1 Which of these cities was not involved in the Silk Road? A.Constantinople B.Chang’an C. Baghdad D. Samarkand E. Athens

Question 2 What were the imports and exports of China? A. B. C. D. E. Imports Exports Spices, gold, elephants Jade, gunpowder Slaves, spices, ivory Silk, paper, porcelain Pearl, gold, ivory, fur Tea, potteries, silk Precious metals, spices Vases, jewelry Horses, camels, gold Warriors, instruments

Question 3 Where did the Silk Road begin and end respectively? A. Mediterranean Sea to China B. Chang’ an to Europe C. China to India D. Chang’an to Constantinople E. China to Africa

Question 4 Where did Marco Polo’s journey begin and end? A. Arabia to Malaysia B. Venice to China C. Italy to Russia D. India to Mongolia E. Constantinople to Samarkand

Question 5 Why was the Silk Road significant? A.It facilitated trade among Europe and Asia. B. Everyone along the Silk Road wove silk. C. People had imported and exported valuables that they don’t have. D. People liked other countries’ stuff. E. Everybody traded globally.

Slogan The Silk Road – The Ancient Airplane Connecting different places, people, culture, and ideas