While the basic purpose of the Silk Road remained mostly the same, its’ goods and destinations went through many changes. The road started as a small transport route for Eurasian merchants, but later turned into an important economical and cultural necessity. Once Asian products, like spices and fabrics, were used by Europeans, they became dependent on them. This also occurred in Asia, and it began to shape both cultures. Also, due to the large amount of political changes that occurred during this expanse of time, the Silk Road also traveled through the new countries that began when the Roman Empire collapsed.
This trade route showed the interaction between Asia and Europe. From 200 B.C.E to the 15th century, different empires were developing, which caused the Silk Road to undergo changes and fluctuations along the Silk Road. When little interaction occurred in Europe during the Middle Ages, trade through the Silk Road decreased. However, there were some continuities that happened on the Silk Road as time progressed. The Silk Road started during the Han Dynasty in 200 B.C.E.
From the beginning, the Silk Roads were used to transfer goods to and from Europe and Asia. Asia’s economy had always relied on the money from the Silk Road Trade. Europe’s economic status remained fueled by Asian trade. In the beginning, the Silk Road was small but overtime grew to be a necessity. Overall, many things changed along the Silk Road from 200 B.C.E to 1450 C.E, but one thing remained constant: the purpose of the Silk Road.
The Silk Road began approximately 2,500 years ago and was an extensive trade route that linked many areas of the world together. More specifically this route according to E.E. Kuzmina and Victor H. Mair was between China, the Eurasian Steppe, Central Asia, and Europe, which went on to Byzantine and beyond (p. 1). This Road as Kuzmina and Mair stated, “Was used for transporting silk from China, while in the opposite direction, from Rome and other countries, traders brought to the Celestial Empire glassware, jewelry, and other goods of high aesthetic value” (p. 1). As Kuzmina and Mair also pointed out, the opening of this famous route is usually referred to as “taking place in the second B.C.
Goods traded along the system included silk and porcelain from China, spices from SE Asia and peppers, pearls, and cotton from India. Additionally, horses and incense from Southwest Asia, and gold and ivory from East Africa were traded as well. The reason for such difference in trade is that the
During the time period between 300 C.E. and 1450 C.E., the Silk Road served the same purpose while experiencing diminutive changes. For example, the items exchanged between these civilizations changed over time because of advancements in technology with new innovations being bartered. The Silk Road always aided trade and circulated goods between Arabian, Chinese, Greek, Indian, Persian, and Roman civilizations. The end of the Era of Division through the Sui dynasty (300-618), the Tang dynasty (618-907), and the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties (907-1450) were three key periods of time that the Silk Road flourished and altered the most.
DBQ: Patterns of Trade from 1000-1450 Between the years 1000 and 1450, trade networks throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia were established and thriving. European and Muslim influence was working its way into Africa and China via the world trade network. Of course, these contacts from trade left cultural consequences in the areas they assimilated in to. The documents allude to Muslims having a greater influence and cultural impression on their contacts than the Europeans did on theirs, who emphasized religious conversion and admiring the goods and cultures that interested them. An additional document from the perspective of an African or Asian merchant would be useful, as the documents given only showed perceptions from Europeans or Muslims.
2. How did the trade networks of the Hellenistic era help set the stage for the silk roads? By controlling land routes linking Bactria, which offered access to Indian markets, to Mediterranean ports in Syria and Palestine. They maintained land routes from south Egypt to the kingdom of Nubia and Meroe in east Africa, also by ousted pirates from sea lanes
By In the Indus River Valley, the largest cities of the area were located directly next to the Indus River (Martin). As many traders also when outside the Indus Valley for more opportunities of trade and revenue, they went southward down the Indus River to the Arabian Sea and traded along the cost. When traders went outside their homeland, much culture was spread – such as, the spreading religion, technology, foods, art, and
CCOT Essay Trade has and always will be an important part of the global economy. Trade flourished with the creation of the Silk Road and the colonization of the Americas. Many organizations have been created to regulate or exploit trade, such as the Hanseatic League and the East Indian Trading Company. Between 650 and 1750 C.E, trade and commerce in the Indian Ocean region witnessed changes like the dominance of trade and population; it also stayed the same in the sense that religion was used and goods were in demand. Over time, commerce in the Indian Ocean region witnessed changes in trade dominance and population.