Writing a DBQ:
AP World History
DBQ ANALYSIS AND
ORGANIZATION
PATTERNS OF TRADE
1000–1450
DBQ STEP 1:
Analyzing the Prompt
Q
U
E
S
T
I
O
N
Using the documents, analyze the
patterns of trade in the period 1000–
1450. In addition, identify possible
cultural consequences of trade in this
time period.
What is the prompt (question) asking for?
Are there recognizable
patterns?
What were the
consequences of the
contacts?
Historical Background
Trade within and among societies has
existed since the time of the first
civilizations. On the eve of Columbus’s
discovery of the new world, trade networks
in both the eastern and western hemispheres
were well-established and thriving.
Obvious categories have been provided in the
supplemental material.
Use everything
available!
DBQ STEP 2:
Organizing the
Information
Analysis and Organization
Develop a table or chart
Certain pieces of
information
(“universals”) will be
the same for every
DBQ
• Document
number
• Major point of
the document
• Point of view
• Information
needed
Your Table
DOC PAT CON A C O
NEED
“Trade patterns” = PAT
“Consequences” = CON
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
In addition to the
“universal” categories,
we’ll add the prompt
categories.
Documents on Africa = A
Documents on China = C
Documents on other regions
(Latin America, Europe) = O
Another method of
“grouping” would be
regions.
DBQ STEP 3:
The Documents
Your Table
DOC PAT CON A C O
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Let’s look at the documents one at a
time.
Number, region, and major concept
Pattern or consequence?
Complete each document,
separated by a line.
DOCUMENT 1
Source: Leo Africanus: Description of Timbuktu from The
Description of Africa (1526)
The women of the city maintain the custom of veiling their faces,
except for the slaves who sell all the foodstuffs. The inhabitants
are very rich, especially the strangers who have settled in the
country; so much so that the current king has given two of his
daughters in marriage to two brothers, both businessmen, on
account of their wealth…
This document indicates the incorporation of Muslim
customs (veiling) and the ability of the visiting merchants to
assimilate into African society through marriage, directly
related to their status in the community and based upon
their relationship to trade. The point of view is from an
outsider visiting and describing a foreign culture and its
relationship to the outsider’s own culture.
DOCUMENT 1
DOC PAT CON A C O
#1
x x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Muslims’ effect on
in terms of African cultures
own
(veiling and
culture
intermarriage)
DOCUMENT 2
Source: “The Aztec Civilization of Mexico” from Bernal Diaz,
The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz de Castillo (1522)
The moment we arrived…. We first of all visited those divisions of
the market appropriated for the sale of gold and silver wares. Of
jewels… This slave market was upon as great a scale as the
Portuguese market for negro slaves at Guinea… And yet I have not
mentioned the paper, which in this country is called amatl; the tubes
filled with liquid amber and tobacco, the various sweet-scented
salves, and similar things; nor the various seeds which were
exposed for sale in the porticoes of this market, nor the medicinal
herbs.
DOCUMENT 2
This document emphasizes the things in the New World that
attracted the interest of Europeans, with precious metals and
slave trading standing out in particular. Although the point of
view is one of an outsider visiting and describing a foreign
culture and its relationship to his own culture, the focus seems
to be on which items might be of use to Europeans (metals,
paper, medicinal herbs) rather than on any value judgments.
“Gold and silver wares” seem to be objects of primary interest.
DOCUMENTS 1–2
DOC PAT CON A C O
x x
#1
#2
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Muslims’ effect on
in terms of African cultures
(veiling and
own
intermarriage)
culture
Outsider, European interest
in terms of in gold and silver,
own
slavery
culture
DOCUMENT 3
Source: John of Monte Corvino, Report from China (1305).
John of Monte Corvino (1247–1328) was a Franciscan priest.
He crossed central Asia when the Mongol Khans controlled
that region.
I made my way to Cathay…and invited him to adopt the Catholic
Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he had grown too old in
idolatry. However he bestows many kindnesses upon the
Christians, and these two years past I am abiding with him.... I
have built a church in the city… in which the king has his chief
residence… I have baptized there… some 6000 persons…
DOCUMENT 3
This document centers on attempts to spread European
religious values to China. The document emphasizes
intellectual aspects of cultural contact as a result of trading;
this contrasts with other documents that center on
descriptions of trade exchanges and material goods. In this
document, the focus of the contact is the introduction of
religious beliefs into a foreign culture. The reference to the
Emperor’s being “too old in idolatry” indicates a bias.
The point of view is from an outsider motivated by the desire
to convert others to his religion; the author indicates little
about the foreign culture other than the fact that it seems to
be tolerant of outsiders.
DOCUMENTS 1–3
DOC PAT CON A C O
x x
#1
#2
#3
x
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Muslims’ effect on
in terms of African cultures
(veiling and
own
intermarriage)
culture
Outsider, European interest
in terms of in gold and silver,
own
slavery
culture
Religious
Europeans’
outsider
religious
interested
influence on the
in
Chinese
converting
DOCUMENT 4
Source: Northwest African trade routes in the 6th–19th century CE
DOCUMENT 4
This map shows that strong trading ties existed between
northern and central Africa. It also seems to indicate a great
deal of cultural exchange between Muslim and African
societies as a result of trade. Documents of this nature are
generally neutral (no apparent bias), but this map tends to
support other documents that indicate a strong Muslim
cultural influence on African societies.
DOCUMENTS 1–4
DOC PAT CON A C O
x x
#1
#2
x
#3
#4
x
x
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Muslims’ effect on
in terms of African cultures
own
(veiling and
culture
intermarriage)
Outsider, European interest
in terms of in gold and silver,
own
slavery
culture
Religious
Europeans’
outsider
religious
interested
influence on the
in
Chinese
converting
African and
Muslim contacts
and likely influence
DOCUMENT 5
Source: Humbert de Romans, a member of the Dominican
Order and a professor of theology; wrote c. 1250
Though markets and fairs are terms often used indiscriminately,
there is a difference between them, for fairs deal with larger things
and only once in the year, or at least rarely in the same place, and to
them come men from afar. But markets are for lesser things, the
daily necessaries of life; they are held weekly and only people from
near at hand come. Hence markets are usually morally worse than
fairs… Frequently you will hear men swearing …the lord is
defrauded of market dues, which is perfidy and disloyalty... quarrels
happen and violent disputes..., but in the market-place, since each
man is a devil to himself, only one other demon suffices.
DOCUMENT 5
In this document, the author tends to relate moral motives to
the process of trade. Although the document focuses on
Europe, there is a sense of the church having a problem with
“markets” because they are “morally worse” than fairs. This
links directly with other documents that focus on religion and
are less concerned with material and cultural exchanges.
Therefore, the point of view is that of a cleric providing a
religious response to the process of trade.
DOCUMENT 5
DOC PAT CON A C O
#5
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Religious
bias
Morality more
important than
trade
DOCUMENT 6
Source: lbn Battuta (1325–1355 CE), an Islamic scholar and
traveler from Morocco, reported on Mali in The Travels of Ibn
Battuta (1352) :
…Their women are of surpassing beauty, and are shown more
respect than the men…but on the contrary from his mother’s
brother. A person’s heirs are his sister’s sons, not his own sons.
This is a thing which I have seen nowhere in the world except
among the Indians of Malabar. But those are heathens; these
people are Muslims, punctilious in observing the hours of prayer,
studying books of law, and memorizing the Koran. Yet their
women show no bashfulness before men and do not veil
themselves…their zeal for learning the Koran by heart. They put
their children in chains if they show any backwardness in
memorizing it… The women servants, slave-girls, and young girls
go about in front of everyone naked, without a stitch of clothing on
them…grotesque ceremonies we have described when the poets
recite their verses.
DOCUMENT 6
This document describes the impact of Muslim trade contacts
on African culture, but also indicates a blend of cultures with
respect to the modifications of religious (veiling and
ceremonies) and cultural practices (matrilineality). The
Africans seem to be more rigid in terms of the memorization
of the Koran, yet more lax when it comes to the physical
presence of females in society. The point of view is from an
outsider visiting and describing a foreign culture and its
relationship to his own culture; we can see this in his
reference to “grotesque ceremonies” and the customs
associated with dress.
DOCUMENTS 5–6
DOC PAT CON A C O
#5
#6
x
x
x x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Religious
bias
Morality more
important than
trade
Outsider,
in terms
of own
culture
Muslim influence
on African culture
DOCUMENT 7
Source:
Map of
the
Mongol
Empire
DOCUMENT 7
This document emphasizes the importance of the Islamic
regions as a sort of connector between the various trading
groups. Although the document is neutral (no apparent bias),
it does support the perception that Muslim customs would be
far more influential than those of any other region since
traders would likely go through Islamic trade centers before
reaching their destination.
DOCUMENTS 5–7
DOC PAT CON A C O
#5
x x
#6
#7
x
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Religious
bias
Morality more
important than
trade
Outsider,
in terms
of own
culture
Muslim influence
on African culture
Islamic region as a
“connector”
between regions,
likely to have
greater impact
DOCUMENT 8
Source: Francesco Balducci Pegolotti, worked for a
Florentine merchant. The following is an excerpt from a
manuscript copied in 1471 and published in the 18th century.
CHAPTER II
Things needful for merchants who desire to make the journey to
Cathay…you must let your beard grow…furnish yourself with a
dragoman [translator/guide] And you must not try to save money
in the matter of dragomen… you should take with you twentyfive days’ provisions…flour and salt fish, for as to meat you will
find enough of it at all the places along the road…
DOCUMENT 8
This document focuses on the need to make important
adjustments in order to ensure survival during these contacts.
It stresses the importance of selecting a competent
“dragoman” and remaining aware of what items along the
way are scarce (flour, salt fish) and what items are plentiful
(meat). The point of view is from a European urging other
Europeans to adjust to foreign cultures rather than
attempting to “enlighten” them.
DOCUMENTS 5–8
DOC PAT CON A C O
#5
x x
#6
#7
#8
x
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Religious
bias
Morality more
important than
trade
Outsider,
in terms
of own
culture
Muslim influence
on African culture
x
Islamic region as a
“connector”
between regions,
likely to have
greater impact
x
Outsider
Adjustments to
urging
foreign cultures
adaptation necessary in order
to survive
DOCUMENT 9
Source: Marco Polo’s account in the Book of Hangchow (c. 1300
CE); he called the city “Kinsay”
…ten principal markets…three days in the week, frequented
by 40,000 or 50,000 persons, who bring thither for sale every
possible necessary of life… Those markets make a daily display of
every kind of vegetables and fruits.
Neither grapes nor wine are produced there, but very good
raisins are brought from abroad, and wine likewise... Any one who
should see the supply of fish in the market would suppose it
impossible that such a quantity could ever be sold; and yet in a few
hours the whole shall be cleared away; so great is the number of
inhabitants who are accustomed to delicate living.
…squares are thronged and crammed with purchasers, and
with the traders who have brought in stores of provisions by land or
water; and everything they bring in is disposed of.
DOCUMENT 9
This document describes the culture visited and its interaction
with other cultures in the region. It reveals cooperation and
specialization undertaken in the interest of trade. Like earlier
documents we have seen, this one emphasizes the concept of
what might be gained by attempting to understand the nature
of foreign interactions rather than trying to change or
“enlighten” people from other cultures. The point of view is
from a European obviously impressed by what he has observed
in another culture.
DOCUMENT 9
DOC PAT CON A C O
#9
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Positive description
impressed of Chinese market
by foreign
system;
culture
interdependence
DOCUMENT 10
Source: Map
of medieval
trade routes
DOCUMENT 10
This document shows a concentration of trading in the
northern part of Europe and extensive links to southern
Europe and Islamic regions. Although the map highlights
cross-cultural contacts, it does not indicate cultural exchanges
or influences upon Europe as a result of these contacts.
DOCUMENTS 9–10
DOC PAT CON A C O
#9
x
#10
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Positive description
impressed of Chinese market
by foreign
system;
culture
interdependence
Extensive
Shows
contact
concentration of
through
activity in
trade routes
northern Europe
but no info
on
influences
DOCUMENT 11
Source: Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo (1336–1405), the Spanish
ambassador to Timur (a.k.a. Tarnerlane), wrote the following
sometime around 1406, following his return from Samarkand.
The richness and abundance of this great capital and its district is
such as is indeed a wonder to behold… Thus trade has always been
fostered by Timur…During all his conquests wheresoever he came
he carried off the best men of the population to people Samarqand,
bringing thither together the master-craftsmen of all nations… from
Damascus he carried away with him all the weavers of that
city…craftsmen in glass and porcelain, …known to be the best in
all the world… Of the nations brought here together there were to
be seen Turks, Arabs and Moors, Christians …Greeks… Armenians,
Catholics, Jacobites … markets of Samarqand further are amply
stored with merchandise.
DOCUMENT 11
This document focuses on interactions within a region and
the creation of a trade and cultural center. Note how
craftsmen and specialists were being brought to Samarkand
from various regions, indicating a sort of forced assimilation
as well as a degree of tolerance of different cultures. The
document does not attempt to assess the actions in terms of
the narrator’s culture, but merely describes the activity. As in
Document #9, the point of view here is from a European
obviously impressed by what he has observed in another
culture.
DOCUMENTS 9–11
DOC PAT CON A C O
#9
x
#10
x
#11
x
x
x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Positive description
impressed of Chinese market
by foreign
system;
culture
interdependence
Extensive
Shows
contact
concentration of
through
activity in the
trade routes
northern Europe
but no docs
on
influences
Outsider, Establishing trade
center by
impressed
relocating
by foreign
specialists from
culture
other cultures
DOCUMENT 12
Source: European map created in 1375 showing Mansa Musa (1312–1337), a
ruler of Mali. The caption reads, in part, “So abundant is the gold found in his
country that he is the richest and most noble king in all the land.”
Although maps and charts
do not generally indicate a
point of view, this map—
created by a European—
depicts Mansa Musa as
larger than life because of
his richness (note how he
is shown holding a gold
nugget). The map
therefore reveals the value
Europeans placed on
wealth.
DOCUMENTS 9–12
DOC PAT CON A C O
#9
x
#10
x
x
x
#11
x
#12
x x
x
NEED
P of V
MAJOR CONCEPT
Outsider, Positive description
impressed of Chinese market
by foreign
system;
culture
interdependence
Extensive
Shows
contact
concentration of
through
activity in the
trade routes
northern Europe
but no docs
on
influences
Outsider, Establishing trade
center by
impressed
relocating
by foreign
specialists from
culture
other cultures
European
Relative size of
perception
Mansa Musa;
of Africa
importance of
Africa
GROUPINGS
PATTERNS
Docs 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12
CONSEQUENCES
Docs 1, 5, 6, 8
Nature and methods of
contact; foreign perceptions
of new markets
Changes and influences that
developed as a result of
commercial contacts
FORCED CHANGE
Docs 3, 5, 11
Region groupings are also
possible
Attempts to manipulate
existing systems through
religion or relocation
Africa, Asia, Europe
#1
#6
#12
#3
#5
#8
#9
#4
#7
#10
#11
European and Muslim
contact and
impressions of Africa
POSSIBLE
GROUPINGS
Contacts and
impressions of China
What fits
together?
Why?
Patterns of trade and contacts
between regions, attempt to
change
3 PARAGRAPHS
CONTENT FOR
TOPIC SENTENCE
DBQ STEP 4: Needs,
Thesis, and Review
WHAT’S MISSING?
Is there additional information
that would be valuable?
The documents only presented Islamic and
European perceptions. African or Asian
impressions concerning trade contacts
would have been helpful.
THESIS AND CONCLUSION
IS THERE…
A PATTERN?
A RATIONALE
or CONCEPT?
A QUESTION
or DILEMMA?
Needed documents
discussed on the
previous slide can
provide the basis for an
effective conclusion.
Then you have the
thesis
EXAMPLE
The documents gave the
impression that Muslim
commercial contacts were
culturally more effective and
influential than those of the
Europeans. Europeans
emphasized religious
conversion, descriptions of
goods of interest to European
needs, or simply adjusting to
new environments.
PROCEDURE
1 DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT
•
•
What does the prompt require?
Use all of the information available
2 USE A TABLE OR CHART TO ORGANIZE
•
•
Universal categories
Specific categories
3 GROUP AND LINK DOCUMENTS
4 DEVELOP A TOPIC SENTENCE
•
•
Body paragraphs
Fill-in sentences
5 DEVELOP A THESIS AND A CONCLUSION
•
Links to prior knowledge