Historical Thinking
What was the main economic reason merchants accepted the dangers of long-distance trade?
Caravan
A merchant travels west from China carrying two valuable products. Name one product they might carry.
Silk or Porcelain
What is the spread of beliefs, ideas, customs, and technologies between civilizations called?
Cultural Diffusion
Which trade network connected East Asia with Central Asia, Persia, and the Mediterranean?
silk road
What is a group of merchants traveling together to transport goods safely?
Caravan
Identify ONE historical figure from our unit and the trade route they were associated with.
Why did merchants often choose to travel together rather than alone?
For protection from bandits and to transport goods more efficiently.
Which religion spread into West Africa through Trans-Saharan trade?
Islam
Which major trade network relied on seasonal monsoon winds?
Indian Ocean Trade Route
What was a roadside resting place where merchants could find shelter and supplies?
Caravanseri
Describe ONE accomplishment of your historical figure that helped connect civilizations.
Answers Vary
Identify TWO challenges merchants could experience while traveling the Silk Roads.
Bandits, disease, dangerous weather, difficult terrain, or political conflict.
Which religion spread from India into China through the Silk Roads?
Buddhism
Which two products were especially important to Trans-Saharan trade?
Salt and Gold
What term describes products such as silk, gold, salt, and spices exchanged between merchants?
Trade Goods
Explain how a historical figure contributed to cultural diffusion.
Answers vary
Why were trading cities and markets important to merchants traveling long distances?
They provided places to exchange goods, obtain supplies, and share information.
What was one negative consequence of increased connections along trade networks?
spread of the black death
Why were camels especially important for trade across the Sahara Desert?
They could carry heavy loads and travel long distances in desert conditions.
What term describes the period of relative peace under Mongol rule that encouraged trade?
Pax Mongolica
Make a historical claim about how TWO trade routes connected civilizations. Support it with TWO pieces of evidence.
Example: Trade networks encouraged cultural diffusion because the Silk Roads spread Buddhism into China, while Trans-Saharan trade helped spread Islam into West Africa.
Why was cooperation between different regions important to successful long-distance trade?
Regions depended on one another to exchange goods they could not easily produce themselves.
Explain how merchants could spread cultural ideas without intentionally teaching them.
Through interactions with local people, merchants introduced new religions, languages, technologies, and customs.
How did transportation differ between the Silk Roads, Trans-Saharan trade, and Indian Ocean trade?
Silk Roads: land caravans; Trans-Saharan: camel caravans; Indian Ocean: ships.
What is the difference between a trade route and a trade network?
A trade route is one specific path, while a trade network is a system of connected routes.