1. The Silk Road
300 BCE – 600 CE
1200 CE – 1400 CE

2. What was the Silk Road?
An overland trade route linking China to the Mediterranean World.
Travelled through
China
India
Central Asia
Ended in eastern part of Roman Empire

4. Cultural Diffusion East to West West to East Silk Spices Cotton Pearls
Ivory
Coral
Ideas
Buddhism
Technology
Glassware
Jewelry
Bronze goods
Wool
Linen
Olive Oil
Gold/Silver
Ideas
Technology

5. Travel Along the Silk Road
From 300 BCE – 600 CE
Silk Road protected by established powers
Camel saddles improved efficiency
Military protection
From 600 CE – 1200 CE
Major empires had collapsed
Road was too dangerous
Turned to maritime (sea) trade
1200 CE – 1400 CE
Rise of the Mongol Empire
Could protect the route again

6. Maritime Trade Increased in 600 CE Declined during 1200 CE – 1400 CE
Improved technology, speed
Declined during 1200 CE – 1400 CE
Permanent switch from 1400 on

8. Maritime Trade Why the change?
Cost
Technology
Speed
Protection
Trade along Silk Road resumed from CE – Protected by the Mongol Empire

9. Trans-Saharan Trade Routes
Developed slowly
Southern Sahara traded salt for nuts, palm oil
Norther Sahara traded animals (Rome), food
Facilitated by Nomads (Berbers)
Mali, Ghana, Songhay
Became wealthy due to trade systems
Islam spread through networks