Unit 2: Topic 1 - The Silk Roads Flashcards
Kashgar
The silk road had two accepted routes: the north and south, and the city of Kashgar was the intersection point of these two routes in western China. Its fertile lands supported crops such as wheat, rice, and cotton which created a key city that faciliated both trade and artisans who created textiles, rugs, and pottery. Kashgar also served as an intellectual exchange, where the previously Buddhist city gave way to becoming an Islamic center for scholars.
Samarkand
Samarkand was a large city in Uzbekistant that was situated along the silk road and rose to prominance due to traders traveling between China and the Mediterranean. Artisans prospered in this economic hub and produced textile products and pottery, while numerous religions grew in power. Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, and Christianity were all present in this city, although Islam had the most prominent presence with many centers of Islamic learning in the city. The city is world-renowned for its mosques and mausaleoms
Bills of exchange
With the growing popularity of the Silk Road, innovations sprouted that assisted traders in exchanging their goods. The most helpful innovation for these traders was the bills of exchange. Cannaversais often contained banking houses, which issued bills to traders for a promised amount of currency on a specific date. The widespread network of banking houses allowed these bills to be swapped by traders at any point in their journey, allowing for a stable means of storing currency.
What was the importance of Banking houses?
Banking houses were the economic backbone for exchange along the Silk Road. The Chinese government used a money economy and created flying cash, a credit system that acted similar to ATMs along the Silk Road. Instead of having to carry copper coins or cash, merchants could use flying cash or any other bills of exchange to deposit or withdraw money. The Banking houses were locations that allowed them to use such convenience, thereby facilitating trade and giving stability in a paper currency system.
What was the impact of the use of paper money?
Paper money, whether in the form of bills of exchange or flying money, was developed by the Song Dynasty to use in place of bartering as a convenience. Not only was it used inside Chinese cities but it was also heavily used along the silk road. Paper money allowed merchants to use a common currency, thereby standardizing trade and allowing for a direct, tangible value for exchange. The usage of paper money encouraged merchants to trade and facilitated transactions between buyers and sellers.
Silk Roads
A system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods; known for spreading religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam as well as technological transfers and diseases like the Bubonic plague
magnetic compass
Chinese invention that aided navigation by showing which direction was north.
rudder
steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat; improved sea trade
junk ship
large flat-bottom sailing ship produced in the Tang and Song Empires, specially designed for long-distance commercial travel and participation in the tribute system
caravanserai
an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa; allowed caravans and their camels to rest in a protected environment, encouraging trade
Hanseatic League
an organization of north German and Scandinavian cities for the purpose of establishing a commercial alliance; facilitated trade and commercial growth in the 1200-1450 time period
porcelain
thin, beautiful pottery invented in China; highly desired luxury good traded along the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade networks
1200-1450 Timeline
What are the causes of the growth of network on the Silk Road?
The three main causes are the Crusades, the rise of new empires, and improvements of technology. During the Crusades, knights brought back fabrics and spices from East while East wanted silver from West. The rise of New Empires such as the Abbasid Empire revived the trade route. Tang dynasty in China offered the trade goods that made the route popular and the Mongol Empire improved roads and made routes safer. Improvements in technology include caravans for safety, better saddles for camels, magnetic compass, rudder, and Chinese Junk ship.
Cities and oases on the Silk Road
Kashgar in China (leading to destinations in Central Asia, India, Pakistan, and Persia),
had lots of water and food. Samarkand in present day Uzbekistan (center for trading goods and cultural
exchange).
