Joanne Nguyen 6th Period

P3 Questions
1. During this era, multiple trade and commerce systems were at play. The Indian Ocean, Trans-Saharan, Mediterranean Sea, and Silk Road were all major examples. These systems interacted with the exchange of goods, ideas, technologies, and cultures. Important trade cities such as Venice, Timbuktu, and Baghdad were located on the paths of more than one trade route, dispersing trade even further. An instance of this interchange would be the travels of silk originating in China. The silk would follow the Silk Road first, then possibly be traded with an Islamic merchant continuing in the Indian Ocean. Those merchant ships would then take the silk to the Eastern coasts of Africa. 2. Although long-distance migrations expand on cultural and social elements, they also spread disease and conflict. The Black Death, said to have come from Central Asia, rapidly spread throughout Europe causing severe population contractions. This epidemic was also a huge factor in the end of feudalism. The inter-regional migrations also began the conquests of nomadic forces. When the Turks or Mongols came across a new area and saw the plentiful resources available, conflicts arose. However, not all results were bad. Some benefits of these migrations included language diffusion, introductions of new technologies, especially maritime improvements, and the spread of religions. 3. What were the social, political, economic effects of new or continuing belief systems? Major belief systems during this period were Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and NeoConfucianism. As each belief was introduced or reintroduced into a society, many changes were made. In China, when Neo-Confucianism came about, women were immediately more restricted and suppressed. Islam, as a large imperial belief, united the Muslim empire, allowing for safer, more efficient trading. Some belief systems encouraged trading and commerce while others were geared more towards intellectual advancements and education. 4. The Mongols efficiency allowed the empire to expand into the largest ruling power in all of history. They conquered with terror and diplomacy. Ruthlessness, brutality, and destructiveness were fear tactics utilized by the Mongols along with their skill in horseback riding. Under the uniting leadership of Genghis Khan, the Mongols sieged cities, including the great city of Constantinople, and crushed every opposing foe in their way. The armies were better led, organized, and disciplined. When people were conquered, they were either killed, enslaved, or forced to join the army. The Mongols also differed from previous empires because it was created from the unification of multiple separate clans by one man. The Mongols, like the some Muslim empires, were very lenient on religion. They had little cultural impact on the societies they overtook and was also the last form of pastoral power. 5. When the Mongols controlled China, they unified the formerly divided state. The Mandate of Heaven validated the legitimacy of Mongol rule, the Chinese administrative

Joanne Nguyen 6th Period

techniques were practiced, taxation systems adopted, and the postal system were all put to use. They opposed intermarriage and subjected the Chinese to discrimination. In China, the Mongols emphasized agricultural advancements to extract wealth. In Persia, the Mongols were overall more laid back in their power, leaving the majority of rule in Persian hands. Here, agriculture fell, taxes rose, and the Mongols converted to Islam. When their dominance was over, the Mongols dispersed into Persian society. Mongol power in Russia greatly contrasted their former methods of ruling in Persia and China. In Russia, they ruled at a greater distance since the climate and environment didnt suit their lifestyles. Tributary systems were used while the Mongols stayed in the steppes periodically exploiting cities. Mongol influence here was least prominent. 6. During this time period, many advancements were made technology. Developments regarding maritime travel such as the magnetic compass and Viking longboats made the Norsemens conquests more effective. The adoption of camels to carry heavy goods across the Saharan desert also impacted the usefulness of that trading system. The utilizing of horses also affected the movement of pastoral nomads, especially the Mongols. Economic technologies evident during the Early Modern Era were the minting of coinage which heavily increased the efficiency of trade. Silk and cotton textiles were established to increased manufacturing of goods. Credit, bills of exchange, checks, and banking houses were also first introduced during this time.