The Development Of International Trade

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Daniel Erickson The Development of International Trade 8/2/2010 Examining our history we can make a general conclusion that international trade began around 500 B.C.E., if not earlier. Much of this international trade occurred between Eurasia and Africa. As different cultures and historical evidence was uncovered it was found various trade goods were found in many regions. In example a stone mined in Afghanistan was discovered in a few tombs of Egypt. This suggests there was international trade connecting these two countries. Water and land routes began to spout out, regularized by many countries; including Egypt, Western Asia, the Roman Empire, the Mauryan Empire in India, and the Han Empire in China. The increase in trade routes was directly related to the advancement in technology and modes of transport. On land movement of goods with purpose trade was poor because camels, horses, and mules could only carry so much gear. Sailing ships were optimal but navigation was poor so transport was very slow. As these trade routes expanded so did the horizons of the people. Along the routes people were able to meet and share ideas, food, and housing. Up until this point international interaction was very minimal, but people began to see the value of other perspectives and views. Trading itself promotes and even demands interaction. I believe trade was crucial to interaction among people, without they have no reason to mingle and share ideas. When the Muslims spread across Egypt and North Africa they brought the teachings of Islam with them. History of trade, social, and historical events were found to be well kept in kingdoms under Islamic rule. Islam brought a better literacy to its kingdoms, where accounts by Arabic kingdoms were less frequently written and more frequently oral stories. Islam was found to have made the greatest impact on urban areas where Muslim
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