The Silk Road

Silk Road Key Terms and People: Silk Road Silk Caravans Cultural Diffusion

Silk Road Key Facts: The Silk Road was a series of linking trade routes that connected East Asia with Europe. The Silk Road got its name from the expensive Chinese silk (a very fancy fabric) that travelled along it, which began during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) In addition to many goods, ideas, people, and diseases were also transported. The Silk Road became far less important beginning around the 15th century because Europeans began to explore the world by sea, not land.

Silk Road Main Idea: -The Silk Road transported goods, ideas, people, and diseases from East Asia to Europe between the time of the Han Dynasty until about the 15th century

The Basics -The Silk Road was not actually a road and it was not even one route. -The Silk Road was a name given to any route that led from East Asia to Europe (about 4,000 miles) -There were also sea routes, but since exploration and trade with ships did not really begin until the 15th centuries the sea routes were not as important as the land ones.

The Two Ends -At one end of the Silk Road was the Chinese Empire and at the other was the Roman Empire. -Each had something the other wanted: the Romans had goods like gold and silver, while the Chinese had goods like silk and spices. -In particular, the Romans wanted more silk and began trading for it.

How it Worked -Because the Silk Road covered around 4,000 miles, traders did not travel the entire way; instead, they worked in caravans (large groups) -One trader would go a certain distance, exchange his goods for other goods, and then return -The next trader would then repeat the process

Dangers -It was incredibly dangerous to travel along the Silk Road. -Traders faced hot deserts, large mountains, strong winds, little water or food, and poisonous animals. -Of course, in addition to natural dangerous from the environment, there were also bandits and pirates.

What was Traded -There were many different types of goods traded, including: silk, spices, gold, silver, jewels, medicines, wine, tea, and carpets. -Although it was not a major trade, slaves were traded. -The Black Death, which killed about 1/3rd of Europe’s population, travelled from China along the Silk Road. -Many different ideas travelled, but likely the most important were religions, including: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

What was Traded

Decline -The Silk Road began to significantly decline in use during the Middle Ages, around the 15th century. -Around that time, European explorers began to explore and trade over sea routes, not land one. -Still, some traders continued to use the Silk Road, but they became smaller in size as time went on because trade on ships became faster, safer, and cheaper.

Cultural Diffusion Because the Silk Road spread culture from one place to another, it was a great example of: Cultural Diffusion