Chapter 3 - Connections and Interactions 1200-1450 Flashcards
What was the most important factor in fostering relationships among distant peoples?
Commerce or the urge to trade
How did long-distance trade shaped the daily life of people?
- altered habits of consumption as goods from afar became available
- elite distinguished themselves by using luxury items, such as silk or jade
- working people specialized in producing products for sales in distant markets
- merchants became a distinct social group
- significant income for states/kingdoms from controlling and taxing the trade
- spread of religions, technology innovations, knowledge, but also plants and animals AND illnesses along the trade roads
What animals were often used by caravans on Silk Road?
Camels
What was caravanserai?
Inns/guesthouses stops located all along trade routes from easter Mediterranean to China, where merchants’ caravans stopped on their way to rest, exchange goods with local people and other traders.
Such places became centers of cultural exchange as merchants from many religious and cultural traditions met and mingled. Some of those caravanserai developed into major Central Asian commercial cities.
Why the long-distance merchants focused on luxury goods (like silk) destined for an elite and wealthy?
Only commodities of great value could compensate for the high cost of transportation across long (and dangerous) distance.
Brief history of silk (read only)
The history of silk dates back to ancient China, around 2700 BCE. According to legend, Empress Leizu discovered how to unravel silk threads from the cocoon of the silkworm while sipping tea beneath a mulberry tree. The Chinese closely guarded the secret of silk production for centuries, making it a highly valued commodity.
By the 6th century CE, Byzantine monks smuggled silkworms out of China, spreading production to the West. Over time, countries like Japan and India developed their own silk industries, and silk became a symbol of luxury and wealth across the world.
In Central Asia, silk was used as currency. In China and Byzantine Empire, silk became a symbol of high status. Law restricted silk clothing to members of elite. Silk was also used for religious purposes. In Buddhism, silk robes and banners adorned temples, while Hindu priests and deities were dressed in silk for ceremonies. In Christianity, silk vestments were worn by clergy, and in Islam, silk covers adorned the Kaaba in Mecca. Even in Judaism, silk was used for Torah covers and prayer shawls, reflecting the fabric’s connection to the sacred across different faiths.
Brief history of beginning of banking (Read only)
The origins of banking are closely tied to early trade along routes like the Silk Roads. Around the 4th century BCE, Mesopotamian temples and merchants in cities like Babylon began offering loans and accepting deposits, laying the groundwork for formal banking systems. As trade expanded across the Silk Roads, the need for secure methods of storing and transferring wealth became crucial.
By the time of the Song Dynasties in China, merchants utilized letters of credits, “flying cash”, which allowed them to transfer large sums of money without carrying bulky coinage across dangerous trade routes.
Similar banking systems emerged in Central Asia and the Islamic world, where merchants could deposit money in one location and withdraw it in another, facilitating the vast trade of goods like silk, spices, and precious metals across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. These innovations laid the foundation for modern banking practices, including credit, loans, and long-distance money transfer.
Why banks and banking developed?
As trade expanded across trade roads, the need for secure methods of storing and transferring wealth became crucial.
Why silk road trade prospered only during certain times?
The silk road network prospered most when large and powerful states provided relative security for merchants.
Which empires provided relative security on Silk Road during 200 BCE to 200 CE?
Roman and Chinese
Which empires provided relative security on Silk Road during 7th and 8th centuries?
Byzantine Empire, Muslim Empire of the Abbasid and Tang Dynasty (China)
Which empires provided relative security on Silk Road during 13th and 14th centuries?
Mongol Empire
Did trade roads play a major role in spreading and exchanging culture and religion?
Yes
From where to where Buddhism spread along the Silk Road?
From India to Central Asia, China and beyond
Why people along Silk Road often converted to Buddhism? Note - it was done voluntarily.
They were drawn to rich spiritual tradition and they wanted a link to the larger, wealthy and prestigious civilization of India
How Buddhism changed in Buddhist monasteries in the rich oasis towns of the Silk Roads? (Read)
The original faith had shunned the material world, However, some monasteries in the rich oasis became prosperous, receiving gifts from merchants, local rulers and artisans. Murals in the monasteries give glimpse into their “fun” life and include musicians, acrobats, drinking parties, etc.
Buddhism also picked up elements of other cultures (such bodhisattvas, fully enlightened beings who assisted a suffering humanity)
By the 9th century, Buddhism had been deeply integrated into Chinese culture, society, and politics. It was popular among the elite and the common people alike, with large monastic institutions, temples, and religious practices influencing daily life.
What were the dominant schools of Buddhism in 9th-century China?
The dominant schools were Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Pure Land
What was the focus of Pure Land Buddhism in 9th-century China?
Pure Land Buddhism focused on devotion to the Buddha and promised salvation in the heavenly realm, the Pure Land.
What major event challenged Buddhism in 9th-century China?
The Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution between 841-845 CE, under Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty, where thousands of temples were closed, monastic wealth confiscated, and monks and nuns forced to return to normal life. Buddhists were now forbidden to use gold, silver, copper, iron and gems.
The persecution severely weakened Buddhist institutions, though Buddhism survived and many monasteries were restored later.
What is Chan (Zen) Buddhism?
Chan Buddhism emphasized meditation and personal enlightenment, rejecting reliance on scriptures or rituals Its simplicity and focus on self-realization made it popular. Chan Buddhism continued to grow in influence and remained a major spiritual force in Song Dynasty China and later in Japan.
What is Neo-Confucianism?
Neo-Confucianism emphasis moral virtues, and the importance of social harmony and proper relationships.
Neo-Confucianism movement emerged during the Song Dynasty in China as a response to the growing influence of Buddhism and Daoism. It sought to reassert Confucian principles while incorporating metaphysical and cosmological elements from other traditions, like Daoism and Buddhism.
Note: By 17th century Neo-Confucianism had become the official ideology of the Japanese Tokugawa regime.
What does “every black-haired son of Han wears a Confucian thinking cap, a Daoist robe and Buddhist sandals” saying means?
The saying reflects the blending of three major philosophical and religious traditions in Chinese culture: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Temples frequently included Confucius, Laozi and the Buddha statues.
China influence on Japan, Korea and Vietnam - Political Systems (Read)
China’s influence on political systems was profound, especially through Confucianism, which played a central role in governance and society in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
In Korea, Confucian principles were adopted into the civil service examination system, bureaucratic structure, and family values. Korea deeply absorbed Confucian ideals, shaping its political and social order. Korean new capital city was modeled directly by Chinese capital. Thousands of Korean students were sent to China, where they studied Confucianism, science and arts.
In Vietnam, Confucianism influenced governance, education, and legal reforms, following the Chinese model.
Japan, adopted aspects of Confucian political thought, especially as the warrior elite (samurai) valued hierarchy and duty. However, Confucianism was less dominant than in Korea and Vietnam due to Japan’s unique sociopolitical systems.
China influence on Japan, Korea and Vietnam - Art (Read)
Chinese art styles, such as landscape painting, influenced Korean and Japanese artists.
Korean celadon pottery, for instance, developed distinct characteristics, but its techniques and aesthetics were heavily inspired by Chinese ceramics.
In Japan, Chinese calligraphy and painting techniques were adapted and blended with local traditions. Zen art, particularly ink wash paintings, showed the influence of Chinese Song Dynasty aesthetics.
Vietnamese ceramics were also influenced by Chinese styles, but over time, local materials and techniques gave Vietnamese pottery its own character, blending Chinese forms with indigenous designs.
What areas were Sea Roads connecting?
From southern China to easter Africa, including India and present-day Indonesia.
Give examples of goods that were transported via Sea Roads
- porcelain from China
- spices from present-day Indonesia
- cotton goods and pepper from India
- ivory and gold from East African coast
- incense from southern Arabia
Why were more bulky items transported via Sea Roads than Silk Roads?
Ships could accommodate larger and heavier cargos than camels. Examples of ship cargo: textiles, pepper, timber, rice, sugar, wheat
What is monsoon and why it was important for trade via sea roads?
A monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings significant changes in weather, especially affecting regions in South Asia. Summer monsoon - NE wind, heavy rainfall, Winter monsoon - SW wind, dry weather
Predictable Wind Patterns: Merchants and sailors used the predictable seasonal shifts of the monsoons to plan their voyages. During the summer monsoon, winds carried ships north-eastward, while the winter monsoon helped them return south-westward.
Give examples of advancements in shipbuilding and navigation between 1200 and 1450
- Magnetic Compass (originally China)
- multi-masted ships, some equipped with watertight compartments
-sternpost rudder - Cartography improved maps and detailed coastal maps
What is diasporic community?
A diasporic community refers to a group of people who live outside their ancestral homeland, often dispersed across different regions, but maintain strong cultural, social, and sometimes economic ties with their country or place of origin. These communities usually form when people migrate, either voluntarily or involuntarily, due to reasons such as trade, colonization, conflict, or economic opportunities.
Southeast Asia - to what were many of the cities, states and kingdoms of southeast Asia connected to between 600 and 1500?
Growing commercial network of the Indian Ocean
What was the Srivijaya Empire, and when did it exist?
The Srivijaya Empire was a powerful maritime empire based in Sumatra, Indonesia, that thrived from the 7th to 13th century CE.
Srivijaya was a maritime empire that thrived due to its control over key trade routes in Southeast Asia, especially along the Strait of Malacca, a vital passage for trade between China, India, and the Middle East.
How did Srivijaya become wealthy and powerful?
Srivijaya became wealthy by controlling key trade routes, especially along theStrait of Malacca, and taxing ships passing through its waters providing safe passage for merchants.
As a result, Srivijaya became wealthy and powerful, thriving on the lucrative trade of spices, precious metals, and other goods.
What role played commerce in Srivijaya’s state-building efforts?
Commerce played a pivotal role in Srivijaya’s state-building efforts. The wealth generated from trade allowed Srivijaya to develop a powerful navy, which it used to control trade routes and protect its maritime domain. This military strength helped the empire consolidate its influence over smaller neighboring states, turning them into tributary vassals. Srivijaya’s capital, Palembang, became a major political and commercial center, as the rulers used trade to foster alliances and maintain dominance.
How did India influenced Srivijayan?
Srivijayan monarchs employed Indians as advisors, clerks and officials and adopted the concept of “Indianized” governance and administration structure.
Also, Srivijaya grew into a major center of Buddhism
What is Borobudur?
Borobudur is a massive Buddhist temple located on the island of Java, Indonesia. It is one of the largest and most famous Buddhist monuments in the world and was built in the 9th century (around 800 CE). Borobudur reflects the deep influence of Indian Buddhism on Southeast Asia and stands as a masterpiece of ancient Javanese architecture and art.
What is Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is a monumental temple complex located in Cambodia and one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Originally built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat was initially dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
What impact did Muslim merchants have in Southeast Asia?
As Muslim merchants settled in major trading ports in Southeast Asia, they established diasporic communities and mosques. Over time, their influence grew as they intermarried with local populations, introduced Islamic customs, and helped spread Islamic teachings. Note: frequently, Islam blended with Hindu, Buddhist or traditional shamanistic practices.
Today, while Southeast Asia is not entirely Islamic, it is home to some of the largest Muslim populations in the world, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Brief history of Malacca (Read)
The city of Malacca exemplified the increasing influence of Islam in Southeast Asia. Founded in the early 15th century by Parameswara, a Hindu prince from Sumatra who converted to Islam and became Sultan Iskandar Shah. Under Sultan Mansur Shah (r. 1456–1477), the Sultanate expanded its influence and facilitated cultural exchange, blending Islamic practices with local traditions.
Malacca’s strategic location along the Strait of Malacca established it as a vital maritime trade hub. This attracted traders from India, China, and the Middle East, leading to a diverse population of around 100,000 people, including 15,000 foreign merchants who spoke dozens of languages. By the late 15th century, Malacca’s wealth and significance drew the attention of European powers, particularly the Portuguese, who conquered it in 1511.
Additionally, Malacca’s rise was closely tied to its relationship with China, the major economic and political power in the region, as it sent tribute missions to China and served as a base for Chinese naval expeditions.
How did East African coast civilizations developed?
Trade was crucial in the development of East African city-states, stretching all along East African coast.
As merchant class developed, villages turned into sizable towns and clan chiefs became kings.
What was Cahokia (near present-day St. Louis, Missouri) known for?
Its extensive trading network and a large terraced pyramid-mound structure. It numbered over 10,000 people.
What was Pueblo Bonito?
The largest town in Chaco Canyon, standing five stories high with over 600 rooms
How did trade occur in Mesoamerica?
Through land-based trade and seaborne (dugout canoes) commerce conducted by the Maya.
What was quipu used for in the Inca Empire?
It was a method for recording numerical data.
