Political Facts about the
Silk Roads
Early Political Encounters.
During the Han Dynasty China faced increasing amounts of raids from a nomadic group known as the
Xiongnu. However, upon the ascension of emperor Wu-Di to the throne, China faced many domestic
and economic reforms, and was soon powerful enough to declare war upon the Xiongnu nomads.
Political Diversity Flourishes Along the Silk Road.
The Silk Road extended for over 5,000 miles, connecting China, Byzantium and all the lands between.
Because of this, it can be said that a large amount of political cooperation was made possible as a result
of the Silk Road. The cross-continental trade required civilizations to either commune and cooperate
with one another, or be cut off from the vital supply lines.
Tensions Arise.
However, despite the unifying aspects of the Silk Road, political tensions arose as well. During around
60 CE it became known that Chinese silk was spun by worms, and did not, in fact, grow on the trees of
legend. This created unrest among the civilizations that had essentially been extorted by China's
monopoly on the silk market.