Kevin Lin, Jessica Yang, Ivana Liao, Frederica Chen, Stephanie Loo

 Connected a complex network of over 8,000 kilometers of trade routes from Europe with Asia.  Established contact with civilizations in China, the East, and Europe.  Was a significant factor in the development of great Eurasian civilizations like China, Egypt, and India. Chinese gunpowder Gold jewelry Chinese silk clothing

Camel caravans were the primary mode of transportation over the Silk Roads, since the land was mainly desert and mountains. --Were groups of people and camels who traveled in convoys over long distances --Used the Dromedary camel (one-humped) Map

Trade Ships --Included a network of sea-lanes that sustained maritime commerce throughout much of the eastern hemisphere. --Linked east Asia to the mainland and islands of southeast Asia and beyond. Map

Camel caravans were necessary to travel across the mountains and deserts in the Silk Roads. Trade ships were also needed to travel on the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

 By facilitating trade, the Mongols expedited the spread of bubonic plague.  First erupted in China, but spread throughout central Asia.  Reached southwest Asia and Europe via the Silk Roads in the 14 th century, where it became known as the Black Death.  Killed half or more of an exposed population during its peak  Disrupted economies and societies throughout much of Eurasia. Rats carried the fleas responsible for the plague. Illustration of the Black Death in Europe Map

India  Silk Roads  Iran, Central Asia, China, and southeast Asia Merchants traveling the Silk Roads and the sea lanes through the Indian Ocean played prominent roles. Spread peacefully from India to China because of trade along the Silk Roads, similar to the way Islam spread along trans-Saharan routes in West Africa. Map PersiaIndia China The changing face of Buddha as the religion spread throughout the Silk Roads.

Buddhism, like Hinduism, Christianity, and Manichaeism, relied on the trade routes of classical times to extend their influence to new lands and peoples.

 Were inventions of China  Mid-13th century – gunpowder from the Song Dynasty reached Europe through the Silk Roads  Muslim and Mongol merchants and traders - prominent role in the spread of gunpowder  Nomadic trade and established trading links → rapid diffusion in paper-making techniques from the Han Dynasty to Mesopotamia and Europe on the Silk Roads during the 8 th and 9 th centuries  Constantinople - paper received from the Silk Roads was called Baghdad Papyrus because the Arabs had established paper mills in their capital. Map

 Chinese silkworms and silk technology-closely guarded  Traveled west from China; the farther it went, the higher the price  Silk was in high demand and valued in Eurasia; technology and silkworms were smuggled by Byzantine monks  Byzantium became principal supplier of silk  greatly boosted economy Chinese silk Byzantine silk Map

 Allowed for advanced mathematics and calculations (algebra, trigonometry, and geometry)  transactions easily carried out  8 th century– the numerals diffused along the Silk Roads; Arab and Persian scholars encountered Indian mathematics and readily adopted “Hindi numerals”  Arab Muslims  encountered Europeans  called “Arabic numerals” Map

 Fine spices from southeast Asia; were extremely important because they had many more uses than they do today  Cotton textiles and valuable exotic items (pearls, coral, ivory, etc.) from India  Horses from central Asia, which were important in agriculture and warfare.  Glassware, jewelry, art, perfumes, wool textiles, and gold and silver bullion from the Romans. Map

Venetian merchant who traveled and traded on the Silk Roads Journeys through Asia extended for 24 years Traveled during the Mongolian period; made it safe for travel Venice  Constantinople  China Travels were documented by others Map Met with Kublai Khan in Peking; served in his court Geographers utilized his informative accounts in creating maps; thus played an important role in the great European age of exploration.

 Genghis Khan- ruler of the Mongol Empire; greatly expanded it  Made Silk Roads safe for travelers  Controlled markets selling items of luxury (jewelry, fabrics, furs)  Linked Eurasian lands more directly than ever before  Encouraged travel and communication, diplomatic travel, missionary efforts, and movements of peoples to new lands. Genghis Khan

What items were traded on the Silk Roads? A) silk B) porcelain C) furs D) all of the above

Which of the following is not true with regards to the Silk Roads? A) The silk roads actually had nothing to do with silk. B) Because of the silk roads, silk garments became popular among wealthy Romans. C) They linked much of Eurasia and North Africa. D) The silk roads also included sea lanes. E) The silk roads also carried fine spices.

Who had the most prominent role in the spread of Buddhism over the Silk Roads? A) The Buddha himself. B) Merchants. C) Indian monks. D) Foreign diplomats. E) Mariners.

True or False? If false, correct the statement. Marco Polo wrote about his own travels. False, Marco Polo did not write about his own travels. They were written by Rustichello da Pisa, from stories told by Marco Polo while they were in prison together.

True or False? If false, correct the statement. The Bubonic Plague (Black Death) was spread by rodents. True. Rats carried the fleas responsible for the plague.

“Marco Polo. The Mongols. The Silk Roads. Three names, one history of trade and interaction.”