The Silk Road
Oct 5-7:45 AM
1
The Silk Road was a trade route that ran from Eastern China through
India, the Middle East and all the way to Europe.
Oct 5-7:45 AM
2
• What is silk?
A valuable fabric produced in China and exported
throughout Asia and Europe.
• The Silk Road connects China to what other parts of the world?
India
Europe
Middle East
• Explain how silk made China wealthy.
Silk was highly valued and the Chinese were the
only ones who produced it so it drove up the price.
Oct 5-7:45 AM
3
• By the second century B.C.E., Chinese silk was being traded across which two
continents.
Asia
Europe
• List at least three hardships faced by traders along the Silk Road.
Sandstorms, snowstorms, bandits, local rulers, tariffs, etc. . .
• Think Question - why were traders willing to face these hardships?
Large potential profits in the markets to the east.
• What other types of people (other than traders) traveled along the silk road?
Diplomats, laborers, pilgrims, acrobats, etc. . .
Oct 5-7:45 AM
4
• Think Question - Did the Chinese and their trading partners in the Middle East
and Europe ALL benefit from the Silk Road trade? Explain how you know.
Yes, they all traded
goods they need for
goods they wanted; they
Would you agree to a trade if
you didn't want what you
would get in return?
gained good resources
and ideas, all of which
lead to prosperity.
Oct 5-7:45 AM
5