AP World History: Modern

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Period 1200-1450

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AP World History: Modern

Definition

Period 1200-1450 marks a significant era in world history characterized by the expansion of trade networks, cultural exchanges, and the rise of empires across different regions. This period saw the development of intercontinental trade routes that connected Asia, Europe, and Africa, leading to increased economic activity and cultural interaction that would shape global dynamics for centuries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Trade networks expanded significantly during this period, including overland routes like the Silk Road and maritime routes across the Indian Ocean.
  2. The rise of powerful empires such as the Mongols allowed for increased security along trade routes, which encouraged merchants to travel and conduct business.
  3. Technological advancements such as the compass and improved ship designs boosted maritime trade efficiency during this time.
  4. Cultural exchanges during this period led to significant developments in art, science, and religion, as ideas traveled alongside goods between regions.
  5. Cities like Venice, Constantinople, and Timbuktu became key commercial hubs where diverse cultures met and interacted due to their strategic locations along trade routes.

Review Questions

  • Compare the impact of overland and maritime trade routes on cultural exchange during Period 1200-1450.
    • Overland trade routes like the Silk Road facilitated the movement of not just goods but also ideas and cultures between Asia and Europe. In contrast, maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean connected regions across Africa and Asia, enabling a diverse mix of cultures to interact more fluidly. Both types of trade routes contributed to a more interconnected world, allowing for significant cultural exchanges that influenced art, religion, and technology across continents.
  • Evaluate how the establishment of the Mongol Empire influenced global trade patterns during this period.
    • The establishment of the Mongol Empire had a profound impact on global trade patterns by creating a vast territory that unified much of Asia under a single rule. This political stability allowed for safer passage along existing trade routes, which increased commerce between distant regions. The Mongols also actively promoted trade by ensuring that merchants were protected and valued within their empire, leading to an unprecedented exchange of goods and ideas across Eurasia.
  • Analyze the long-term effects of trade expansions from Period 1200-1450 on subsequent global interactions and economic systems.
    • The trade expansions during Period 1200-1450 laid the groundwork for future global interactions by establishing interconnectedness among various regions. The wealth generated from these trade networks contributed to the rise of powerful states and empires that would later dominate global politics and economics. Moreover, the cultural exchanges initiated during this period continued to influence societies well into the modern era, shaping global economies through practices such as mercantilism and colonization that emerged in later centuries.
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