Trade Routes
During the medieval period, several major trading routes developed in the Eastern Hemisphere. These trading routes developed among Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Major trade patterns of the Eastern Hemisphere from 1000 to 1500 a.d. (c.e.)
· Silk Routes across Asia to the Mediterranean basin
· Maritime routes across the Indian Ocean
· Trans-Saharan routes across North Africa
· Northern European links with the Black Sea
· Western European sea and river trade
· South China Sea and lands of Southeast Asia
Major trade patterns of the Eastern Hemisphere from 1000 to 1500 a.d. (c.e.)
· Silk Routes across Asia to the Mediterranean basin
· Maritime routes across the Indian Ocean
· Trans-Saharan routes across North Africa
· Northern European links with the Black Sea
· Western European sea and river trade
· South China Sea and lands of Southeast Asia
Goods, Technology, and Ideas
Chinese Porcelain
Regional trade networks and long-distance trade routes in the Eastern Hemisphere aided the diffusion and exchange of technology and culture among Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Goods
· Gold from West Africa
· Spices from lands around the Indian Ocean
· Textiles from India, China, the Middle East, and later Europe
· Porcelain from China and Persia
· Amber from the Baltic region
Technology
· Paper from China through the Muslim world to Byzantium and Western Europe
· New crops from India (e.g., for making sugar)
· Waterwheels and windmills from the Middle East
· Navigation: Compass from China, lateen sail from Indian Ocean region
Ideas
· Spread of religions across the hemisphere
– Buddhism from China to Korea and Japan
– Hinduism and Buddhism from India to Southeast Asia
– Islam into West Africa, Central and Southeast Asia
· Printing and paper money from China
Goods
· Gold from West Africa
· Spices from lands around the Indian Ocean
· Textiles from India, China, the Middle East, and later Europe
· Porcelain from China and Persia
· Amber from the Baltic region
Technology
· Paper from China through the Muslim world to Byzantium and Western Europe
· New crops from India (e.g., for making sugar)
· Waterwheels and windmills from the Middle East
· Navigation: Compass from China, lateen sail from Indian Ocean region
Ideas
· Spread of religions across the hemisphere
– Buddhism from China to Korea and Japan
– Hinduism and Buddhism from India to Southeast Asia
– Islam into West Africa, Central and Southeast Asia
· Printing and paper money from China
Japan
Japanese cultural development was influenced by proximity to China.
Shinto and Buddhism coexisted as religious traditions in the Japanese culture.
Location and place
· Mountainous Japanese archipelago (four main islands)
· Sea of Japan or East Sea between Japan and Asian mainland
· Proximity to China and Korea
Influence of Chinese culture
· Writing
· Architecture
· Buddhism
Shinto
· Ethnic religion unique to Japan
· Importance of natural features, forces of nature, and ancestors
· State religion; worship of the emperor
· Coexistence with Buddhism
Shinto and Buddhism coexisted as religious traditions in the Japanese culture.
Location and place
· Mountainous Japanese archipelago (four main islands)
· Sea of Japan or East Sea between Japan and Asian mainland
· Proximity to China and Korea
Influence of Chinese culture
· Writing
· Architecture
· Buddhism
Shinto
· Ethnic religion unique to Japan
· Importance of natural features, forces of nature, and ancestors
· State religion; worship of the emperor
· Coexistence with Buddhism
Africa
African civilizations developed in sub-Saharan west and east Africa.
Trade brought important economic, cultural, and religious influences to African civilizations from other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.
States and empires flourished in Africa during the medieval period, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in west Africa, Axum in east Africa, and Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa.
Axum
· Location relative to the Ethiopian Highlands and the Nile River
· Christian kingdom
Zimbabwe
· Location relative to the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast
· City of “Great Zimbabwe” as capital of a prosperous empire
West African kingdoms
· Location of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires relative to Niger River and the Sahara
· Importance of gold and salt to trans-Saharan trade
· City of Timbuktu as center of trade and learning
· Roles of animism and Islam
Trade brought important economic, cultural, and religious influences to African civilizations from other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere.
States and empires flourished in Africa during the medieval period, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in west Africa, Axum in east Africa, and Zimbabwe in southeastern Africa.
Axum
· Location relative to the Ethiopian Highlands and the Nile River
· Christian kingdom
Zimbabwe
· Location relative to the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and the Indian Ocean coast
· City of “Great Zimbabwe” as capital of a prosperous empire
West African kingdoms
· Location of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires relative to Niger River and the Sahara
· Importance of gold and salt to trans-Saharan trade
· City of Timbuktu as center of trade and learning
· Roles of animism and Islam