Ch.7 Early Networks of Communication and Exchange 300 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.

go Main Idea Details Notemaking The Silk Road Location Transport Goods Exchanged Religion Technology Politics Exchange started in 1500 B.C.E. Linked the Mediterranean to China through Central Asia. Camel caravans were main transport over mountainous terrain. Chinese goods: silk (duh), pottery, paper, spices Mediterranean goods: wine, olive oil, wheat, metal Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and later Islam were spread along the route. Stirrup s were first used by Central Asian pastoral nomads which gave more stability in the saddle and eventually spread to Europe and led to the rise of the knight or mounted warrior. Peaceful relations between trade centers so as not to disrupt trade. go

The Silk Road

go Main Idea Details Notemaking Location Transport Goods Exchanged The Indian Ocean Maritime Network Location Transport Goods Exchanged Religion Politics Exchange started in the first century C.E. Linked East Africa, the Middle East , India and China. Southeast Asian traders were mainly Indians and Malaysians whereas the Persian Gulf and west Indian Ocean was dominated by Arabs and Persians. Monsoon winds (seasonal winds) transported sailing vessels called dhows which used lateen sails to capture the winds. African products: ivory, wood, exotic animals Middle East: pearls and copper India and China: spices and pottery Islamic sailors settled along the Swahili (mix of African and Bantu language and culture) Coast in East Africa and married local women as they waited for monsoon winds. Spread Islam and led to bicultural communities. Compared to Mediterranean trade it was peaceful because sailors retained few ties with their homeland. go

The Indian Ocean Maritime System

go Main Idea Details Notemaking The Trans-Saharan Trade Route Location Transport Technology Goods Exchanged Religion Politics Exchange started circa 500 C.E. with the introduction of the camel from Asia into north Africa. Linked tropical sub-Saharan Africa to north Africa and the Mediterranean. Camel caravans and Sahel traders (middle men). Camel saddle allowed more efficient warfare and Arab traders took control of route. Sub-Saharan goods: tropical fruits, palm oil, gold Mediterranean goods: salt, manufactured goods Arab traders spread Islam to west Africa (Mali). Some warfare over competition between Sahel and Arab traders. go

Trans Saharan Trade Route

go Main Idea Details Notemaking Early sub-Saharan Africa Geography & Resources Culture & Contributions 300 B.C.E.-1100 C.E. Many geographic barriers (deserts, jungle, oceans) impeded travel. Diverse climates: steppes (flat semi-arid highlands), savanna (grasslands) and tropical rainforest. Few great traditions (written language, ethical codes..) mostly small traditions (local customs, oral traditions). Limited historical record because of humid climate and lack of writing. Bantu migrations from central Africa to southern and eastern Africa created common African cultural characteristics: hoe and digging stick agriculture, music, dancing and masks, kingship, fixed social categories based on gender and age. go

Bantu Migrations