Changes And Continuities In Afro-Eurasia

One of the most prominent effects of the cross cultural interaction was the Afro Eurasian Trade Network which helped increase revenue. The trade routes that were part of this network were the Mediterranean Sea Maritime Trade Route, Indian Ocean Maritime Trade Route, Eurasian Silk Road and the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes. The increase in trade resulted in the emergence of major cities such as Timbuktu, Jenne, Mogadishu, Mombasa and other Swahili city states. Another reason for the flourish of trade was the invention of new technologies such as caravans for traveling and the trading of luxury goods such as silk, cotton and porcelain. The dawn of new kingdoms such as Mali, Songhay and Sudan contributed to this effect as well. The spread of Islam resulted in

In the Arabian peninsula, Islam had started. After Muhammad died, the Muslim community embarked on a series of military conquests that extended their control over much of Eurasia and north Africa. Muslim merchants also became a prominent figure in trade during this time. The Islamic empire extended to the Arabian Peninsula and many areas around it. These places were central in the Mediterranean sea, Indian Ocean, and silk road trade routes. The Muslim merchants became a very big part of trade because of their location at the center of many trade routes from Eurasia to Africa. They were also a prominent part of trade because the camel saddle started to be used frequently in 600 CE. Camels were more equipped to walk through the desert, and so the ability to control them made the Muslims a major part of silk road trade. In addition to this, the Muslim agricultural revolution occurred around 600 CE. This caused more crops like cotton to be cultivated and traded, causing a greater income and virtually more trade between Africa and Eurasia. In the Indian Ocean basin, the Gupta empire had declined and there was no centralized rule in India. However, there were still major trading cities and new technologies caused trade to increase. An example of the new technologies would be the dhows and junks that were used at around 800 CE.

The Trans-Sahara and Silk Road trading networks from time period 3, were located in the Afro-asia region of the world, with some smaller trade routes that led to outlying european cities such as Constantinople. While both trading routes were important for the spread of religion, goods, and ideas, the Silk Road had more profound effects on the world.

Advances in technology included farming techniques, written alphabet, weapon and firearm capabilities, and building techniques took place. Religion was also brought from Afro Eurasia into the Americas for the first time. There was also a huge exchange of plant life, which both sides were impacted by. Naturally this included crops grown for food. This had a large impact on the availability of certain products in both Afro Eurasia and the Americas. It also changed some of the cuisine, having an affect on popular foods and just simply what was available in certain areas. Not only was it plant life having a profound effect on the foods people ate, but also animals. There were a large number of animals that were new to both sides of the Exchange. Some of these animals could be raised on a ranch for their meat like, pigs, cattle, chickens, sheep, and goats. Others to be ridden for transportation, work or just as companions like horses and dogs.

The Indian Ocean Trade included overland and sea trade routes that extended from China to the Swahili Coast to the Middle East. It provided easy access to cheaper and more frequent trade during the monsoon seasons because sailors could depend on the predictable monsoon winds. Cultural diffusion occurred through peaceful trade that was dominated by merchants. Technology, ideas, religion, and products also spread throughout the trade routes. The Indian Ocean Trade was the first time that goods were being traded in mass market.

1. The thing that motivated and sustained the long-distance commerce of the Silk Roads, Sea Roads, and Sand Roads was the desire of elites for hard-to-find luxury items from distant parts of the Eurasian network, as well as the accumulation of wealth, especially among merchants who participated in the trade.

Similarly both trade routes had access to salt. Nevertheless, the Trans-Saharan trade route also was able to obtain gold, ivory, metal ware, textiles, pepper, dates, beads, and leather. Consequently the quantity of goods led to an increase in wealth for Ghana. The Trans-Saharan trade route was able to exchange their luxury goods for pottery, glassware, and textiles from Persia, India, and China. Additionally during the 900’s the kings converted to Islam causing wealthy merchants to also convert. On the other hand, overland trade on the Silk Road produced silk, spices, and precious stones. Meanwhile sea-lanes on the Silk Road were capable of carrying bulkier items such as steel, stone, coral, and building materials. Because China was the only country that had cultivators and weavers with an outstanding knowledge of developing techniques, they were able to produce high-quality silk fabrics in classical

2. The technology advancement of transportation and commercial use created mass traffic of trade and its routes stretched widespread for its current and new trade businesses.

Throughout early history, civilizations often sought to receive resources from afar to sustain their societies and keep themselves thriving, and to this end trade relations and eventually trade routes began to emerge. This aided civilizations in their discovery of foreign items that they may use to better their societies. These items traded ranged from complex technology to something as simple as nutmeg. The main trade routes that were utilized in East and South Asia were the silk road and the Indian Ocean Trade Network. In the 7th- 12th centuries, both the silk road and Indian ocean trade route had affected east and south Asia by the introduction of religions such as Buddhism changing government forms and altering the belief systems of society and changing how individuals live their daily lives, however differences were present in the impact that these routes had on daily lives, such as the Indian Ocean Trade Route giving rise to an entire new culture in Africa known as the Swahili and leading to the innovation of the sailing boat known as the Dhow, and the silk road led to the transmission of religion and resources throughout Eurasia and it led to utilization of caravans and animals as a means of trade.

Middle Eastern gold and silver purchased pepper, textiles, and gemstones in India. Merchants from the Arab Empire established communities from East Africa to the China coast. Opportunities for trade led to the production of sugar and dates in Mesopotamia and stimulated a slave trade from East Africa to provide labor for the growing and refining of these products. Widespread conversion to Islam among traders in the Indian Ocean underpinned an international maritime culture and also helped to facilitate commercial transactions.

| * New trade routes were made, such as the Indian Ocean routes, and old routes were expanded upon, like the silk

Camels were significant to trade in Afro-Eurasia, and many technologies surrounded them to make trade even more efficient. The practice of caravanseri and the use of saddles helped achieve these goals. Maritime trade was also less difficult with the creations of the astrolabe and compass as well as new additions to large ships.

One of the most important reasons they decided to explore further was in result of the contination of growth Europeans were undergoing. With the help of maritime trade between the East and the West, they were able to expand their trading. Plenty of goods were brought over to the Europeans with the trading route of the Silk Road. These goods included silk, medicine, spices, animals, and much more as time carried on like perfume. Through this

The nomadic pastoral peoples influenced the settled people through the introduction of new innovations and by connecting different cultures together. The Parthians, who settled in the former Persian Empire, were a group of nomadic people who became settled. Having assimilated to the Hellenistic Culture, they introduced horseback warfare in a time of war and conquest. This influence allowed for mobile assaults and long distance attacks. In a time of global cultures and the cosmopolitan realm, nomads such as the Parthian people greatly influenced settled people and forged global connections. In addition, The Kushans led to the unification of the tribal groups in present-day Afghanistan. The Kushan Empire greatly contributed to the Silk Road as well, a crucial trade route that connected much of Afro-Eurasia. Although the Kushans were illiterate, they began to adopt the Hellenistic culture and mix it with Indian culture, common to a theme in this period of cultural diffusion. The Kushan people also followed and taught many different religious cults, from Zoroastrianism to Buddhism to the Vedic Culture. The Kushan people are a prime example of the spreading of cultures and religions by nomads. For instance, Avalokiteshvara targeted traveling merchants and nomads in the teaching of Buddhism. After converting to Buddhism, these merchants began to spread Buddhist ideals to other nations, forging global connections. Through the relationship between the nomadic and pastoral peoples, the nomadic people greatly influenced existing cultures and reinforced global

Long distance trading had made it possible for people from different cultures to interact. Silk roads were one of the famous trade routes that were used in the ancient time. It stretched from China to central Asia and westward. It merged into one big series of routes. Traders traveled segments of the route, passing their goods on to others who took them further along the road, and in turn, passed them on again. The effect of long-distance exchanges altered the political geography of Afro-Eurasia. The Middle East became a commercial middle ground between the Mediterranean and Indian. The horse-riding nomads of Inner Eurasia made long-distance trade possible. Kushan empire in Afghanistan and the Indus River basin embraced a large and diverse