1. Movement of People and Goods: Thematic Essay

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Movement of People and Goods (Cultural Diffusion)
Example: Discovery of Americas/Encounter Where: Atlantic Ocean-Europe, Africa, Americas Description: Christopher Columbus discovers America in 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.

9. 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.