AMSCO 2.1 The Silk Roads Notes

Topic 2.1

📍Topic 2.1 The Silk Roads Networks of Exchange from c. 1200 to c. 1450

📖 AMSCO p.77 - p.84

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Nora Anzer

Things to Know

Major Trade Cities and Rest Stops:

• Kashgar and Samarkand:
  • These weren't mere cities but pulsating hearts of the Silk Roads.
  • As trade and cultural centers, they acted as melting pots where East met West, leading to a rich tapestry of cultural exchange.
• Caravanserai:
  • More than mere inns, these were established by the Persian Empire in c. 500 B.C.E.
  • These were cultural crossroads where traders from diverse regions exchanged not just goods but stories, ideas, and innovations.

Technological Advancements:

• Sea Navigation:
  • Innovations such as the magnetic compass and rudder, pivotal for maritime navigation, symbolized humanity's quest to conquer the unknown, leading to more exploration and interconnectedness.
• Ship Technology:
  • The Chinese "junk" ship, more than a vessel, was a display of advanced engineering, showcasing the technological prowess of ancient civilizations.

Government and Trade:

• Mongol Empire:
  • Its unification of vast Silk Road territories provided more than just a vast empire.
  • It offered a safe conduit for traders, leading to an era of relative peace and prosperity in trade.
• Hanseatic League:
  • Established in Germany in 1296 C.E.
  • By fostering economic growth and cooperation, it set the foundation for future trading coalitions.
  • This alliance represents the medieval realization of collective strength.

Economic Systems and Innovations:

• Minted Precious Metals:
  • These early currencies from Lydia, Turkey, c. 500 B.C.E. & did more than facilitate transactions.
  • They represented early notions of standardized trade and often indicated the wealth and power of the kingdoms that minted them.
• Money Economy:
  • This evolution, marking a shift from bartering, revolutionized trade. It represented an early understanding of standardized value and laid the groundwork for modern economics.
• Flying Cash:
  • China's innovation, an early credit system, highlights its continuous efforts to simplify, secure, and enhance the trading experience.
• Paper Money:
  • A groundbreaking invention from around c. 800 C.E.
  • Its introduction marked a significant shift in trade, allowing for more fluid transactions, reducing the weight of metal coins, and representing the trust in an issuing authority.
• Banking Houses:
  • Emerging around c. 200 B.C.E., these were more than just financial institutions.
  • They were the precursors to modern banking, centralizing wealth, and offering a more organized approach to lending and depositing.
• Bill of Exchange:
  • China's innovation from around c. 700 C.E. was a testament to its forward-thinking financial acumen.
  • This early credit system paved the way for global trade, allowing merchants to trade across vast distances without immediate payment.

Terms to Remember