Chapter 8 Learning Guide – Commerce and Culture
Main Idea 1 – Eurasia was home to one of the largest and extensive networks of trade throughout
all of history. The most famous trade network was the Silk Road
1. Silk Road – Definition:
2. Why did the Silk Road begin where it did?
3. Why are political systems important for trade?
4. How were goods transported along the Silk Road to sustain the networks of exchange among its
diverse people? (more than just using the camel)
5. Why was silk such a desired commodity across Eurasia?
6. What are some theories on how the Silk making process left Asia?
7. What was silk used for? Make sure you mention all the Empires.
8. What were the major economic, social, and cultural consequences of Silk Road Commerce?
Economic
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Social
Cultural
9. Why did Buddhism appeal to the merchants along the silk road?
10. How did Buddhism spread in oasis cities? Outside of oasis cities?
11. What diseases were spread on the Silk Road and where did they come from and go?
12. Black Plague – Definition:
Significance:
13. Where did the plague begin? How was it transmitted??
14. During the plague 1/3 or more of the population died in Europe alone. Who benefitted from the
plague? How?
15. How did the plague affect China?
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Main Idea 2 – Indian Ocean trade connected distant people from Europe to Asia.
1. Indian Ocean Trade – Definition:
Significance:
2. How were the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean trade similar?
3. How did the transportation operation of the Indian Ocean trading network differ from that of the
Silk Roads? (more then the used boats!)
4. Monsoons – Definition:
5. How did monsoons make Indian Ocean trade possible?
6. When did Indian Ocean trade begin?
7. Why did the tempo of Indian Ocean commerce pick up in the era of classical civilizations?
8. What region became the center of the Indian Ocean trade network?
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9. What other changes occurred during the flourishing of Indian Ocean Commerce after the rise
of Islam in the 7th century?
Arab Empire
Middle east
Muslim Merchants
Mesopotamia/East Africa
10. How did the Indian Ocean trade affect SE Asia and E. Africa?
SE Asia:
E. Africa:
11. Srivijaya – Definition
Significance: Why was it important? What did it do? Etc.)
12. Why did Srivijaya have an important role in Indian Ocean trade?
13. Swahili – Definition:
Significance: Why was it important? What did it do? Etc.)
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14. Describe Swahili ‘s social, economic, and political aspects (these boxes should be pretty full)
Social
Economic
Political
15. Compare Srivijaya and Swahili
Main Idea 3 – The Sand Roads were very similar to the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean Trade routes.
The Sand Road linked North Africa and the Mediterranean World.
1. Trans-Africa trade was rooted in environmental variation For instance,
a. The great Sahara help…
b. The savanna grasslands immediately South of the Sahara produced…
c. The forest further south had….
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2. Who traded and what was traded before the official beginning of the Sands Roads?
3. What changes did trans-Saharan trade bring to West Africa?
a. Long distance trade across the Sahara provided….
b. Muslims traded what along the Sahara?
c. Sudanic states developed…..
d. Describe the Mali Kingdom?
4. Ibn Battuta – Definition
Significance: (Why was he important? What did he do? Etc.)
5. Who made up the salves at this time? How were they treated?
6. Read the quote on the bottom of page 350. What does it mean?
Main Idea 4 – Civilizations in the Americas developed independently from those in Afroeurasia.
Civilizations in the Americas were not as interconnected as in Afroeurasia.
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1. Describe some factors that inhibited the development of long distance exchange networks in the
Americas?
2. What were the Inca roads used for?
3. Why did the Andean Inca Empire largely control trade, not allowing a professional merchant class
to emerge?
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