Expansion of Communication and Exchange Networks

Key Concept 3.1

Guiding Question

What new technologies, governmental policies, and merchant activities accompaniedthese developments?

Improved transportation technologies and commercial practices led to an increased volume of trade, and expanded the geographical range of existing and newly active trade networks.

Focus Questions

What Classical era trade networks continued during the post-classical era, and which new cities were added during the post-Classical era?

What new trade network(s) developed in this era?

What new technologies enabled the growth of inter-regional trade networks?

Existing Trade Routes

Existing Trade Routes

1. Silk Road 2. Trans Saharan3. Mediterranean4. Indian Ocean

Existing trade routes flourished and promoted the growth of powerful new trading cities

New Trading CitiesNovgorod, Timbuktu, Swahili, Huangzhou, Calicut,Baghdad, Melaka, Venice, (Tenochtitlan, Cahokia)Refer back to the map on slide 2

NEW LUXURY GOODS SPREAD ALONG THESE ROUTES

SILK, COTTON, PORCELAIN, SPICES, GEMS, SLAVES, EXOTIC ANIMALS

NEW COMMERCIAL TECH

CARAVANSERAI (Roadside Inns)CAMEL SADDLES (Saddles for Camels)

NEW NAVIGATIONAL TECH

COMPASS (from CHINA)ASTROLABE (from Hellenistic world)LARGER SHIP DESIGNS

NEW ECONOMIC TOOLS

BILLS OF EXCHANGECREDIT/CHECKS/BANKS

NEW ECONOMIC TOOLS

GOVERNMENT COINS/PAPER MONEY

TRADING ORGANIZATIONS: Hanseatic League

GOVERNMENT COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

GRAND CANAL (China)

All of this was expedited by the spread of larger empires.

In your notes …

What new technologies, governmental policies, and merchant activities accompanied these developments?WHAT? HOW? WHY?