Voyages, Trade, and Migrations in the Postclassical World

Islamic Empires Connected Asian, African, and European trade routes Middle East was central trade hub Influenced nomadic pastoralists of Central Asia, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa Borrowed heavily from Islamic culture in North Africa and the Middle East Ivory, slaves, and gold

Byzantine Empire Constantinople was a trade hub linking Europe to Asia Imported silk from China Linked Rus (Russia) to the Mediterranean Sea

China Overseas trade Exported manufactured goods Large number of trade contacts and markets Transmitted culture to other parts of East and Southeast Asia

Mongols Connected civilizations in Europe and Asia Spread Black Death (bubonic plague) to Europe

Bantu Migrations Agricultural society Nigeria/Cameroon c. 3,000 B.C. spread East and South Absorbed, killed, or drove away hunting and foraging people, or killed by contact with animal-borne diseases

Linguistic Map of Africa Historiography of Bantu migrations: Why did they migrate? Cold war explanation= war Post-CW= climate change!!!

Linguistic Map of Southeast Asia

Austronesian Migrations Agricultural Originated in southern China Spread to Philippines, Indonesia, and Madagascar

Austronesian Migrations

Trade Routes On what major trade route is Roanoke located? What other major trade routes have existed within the United States? How has this changed over time?

Silk Roads Link pastoral and agricultural peoples, inner and outer Asia “relay trade” Camel caravans Classical period: links Rome, Han, Persia 7th and 8th centuries: links Byzantine, Abbasid, and Tang/Song 13th and 14th: Mongol Empire links Asia and Europe

Silk Roads Silk Disease Luxury good (elite) Chinese monopoly on production until 600s Disease Smallpox and measles Bubonic plague hits Byzantium 534 to 750 Reaches Europe from China during Mongol control of Silk Roads

Indian Ocean Trade Lower transportation costs= transport more goods Major changes 500-1500 CE: 1. Reemergence of China 2. Rise of Islam (trade-friendly)

Southeast Asia Heavily influenced by India (Hinduism and Buddhism) and China Malay sailors opened all-sea route from India to China Malay kingdom of Srivijaya Gold, spices (cloves, nutmeg), taxes on ships Buddhist monasteries Borobudur Angkor

Borobudur: 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple (Java, Indonesia)

Angkor Wat (Hindu Buddhist temple in Cambodia)

East Africa: Swahili culture Bantu migrations: fishing & farming villages Traded gold, ivory, quartz, leopard skins, slaves Swahili city-states 1000-1500 CE cosmopolitan Arab, Indian, and Persian visitors Navigational knowledge

East Africa: Swahili culture Social Stratification Class distinctions between merchant elite and commoners Islam as unifying force Syncretism Swahili language: African language written in Arabic Great Zimbabwe powerful inland state supplier of gold to Indian Ocean trade network

Trans-Sahara trade North Africa Began in Sudan with Niger Valley civilization camel c. 300 gold* from West Africa ivory, kola nuts, and slaves Traded salt, horses, cloth, dates, manufactured 1300s: Mali monopolizes gold and salt trade

Trans-Sahara Trade Ghana, Mali, and Songhai West Africa powerful trading kingdoms Wealth from trade and slavery West Africa Cosmopolitan Urban Islamic

Famous Voyagers Who are some famous voyagers from history? What sort of person goes on a voyage? Have you ever been on a voyage? What did you see, do, and learn? Do you enjoy experiencing other cultures? Why?

Xuanzang 7th century Buddhist monk Purpose was to find true Buddhist scriptures in India Traveled on Silk Road, 629- 645 converted pirates who tried to rob him Importance: help understand Buddhism and cultures along Silk Road

Marco Polo Born in Venice to wealthy trading family Traveled with father and uncle to China employed by Kublai Khan (Mongol ruler) for 17 years European interest in the East;

Ibn Btutta Arab scholar Born in Morocco Visited Spain, Anatolia, West and East Africa, Arabia, Iraq, Persia, Central and Southeast Asia, India, China Critical of Islam on the frontier Importance: illustrate vast expanse of Islamic civilization, never an “outsider”

Zheng He 1405-1433 Led Chinese sailing expeditions throughout Indian Ocean basin and Southeast Asia Large ships with trade goods and soldiers Chinese government halted voyages Uninterested in foreign trade Costly wars against Mongols Expensive building project in Beijing