The Silk Road 300 BCE 600 CE 1200

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

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

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

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

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

Maritime Trade • Why the change? – Cost – Technology – Speed – Protection • Trade along Silk Road resumed from 12001400 CE – Protected by the Mongol Empire

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