Trade Networks of Africa and Asia


Recognize the definition of religion
Interpret examples of how cultures adapt to
or change the environment


I can recognize the definition of religion.
I can give examples of how cultures adapt to
or change the economy.
First Global Age = the long-
distance trade and travel
that grew in Africa, the
Middle East, and Asia in
the 1400s
 By
the 1500’s, a complex
trade network linked
Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Spices
Silks
Gems





Emerged on the Arabia
Peninsula in the 600’s.
Founder- the Prophet,
Muhammad
Muhammad taught
there is only one true
God (Monotheism)
Followers of Islam are
known as Muslims
The sacred book of
Islam is the Quran





Arab scholars made advances in
mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.
Developed Algebra
Measured the size of earth
Said Earth was a sphere (rounded shape)
Built ships with large triangular sails that
allowed captains to use the wind even if it
changed direction


European traders sailed throughout the
eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea to
bring home cedar logs, silver, and horses.
They traded for ivory, spices, copper, and
cattle
Arabia
Definition: Center of trade routes connecting the
Mediterranean world with Asia and Africa.
Caravans = groups of people who traveled
together for safety
Silk Road = The Central Asian routes linking
China and the Middle East
Quran (Koran) = Holy book of Islam
Islam = religion
that emerged in
the 600s in
Arabia with
Muhammad as
the founder
African Middle
Kingdoms
• Rich cultures
such as Mali,
Ghana, and
Songhai were at
the center of the
trade routes
between North and
West Africa.
• They were rich
in gold, ivory,
iron, and slaves.
City-State = A large
town that has its
own government
and controls the
surrounding
countryside.
Mansa Musa =
Mali’s famous
Muslim ruler
Timbuktu =
Major trading
center for Mali
and Songhai
•Began to appear about A.D. 1000


Most powerful:
Zimbabwe
(Towers of Great Zimbabwe)

Chief trading
center: Kilwa


Mali
Most famous ruler –
Mansa Musa
1324 – Mansa Musa
made a pilgrimage to
Mecca


Songhai
Most powerful
kingdom in West Africa
in 1400s
Major city - Timbuktu

First major trade Center- Ghana
◦ traded for gold and salt
◦ Rulers of Ghana became rich


Ghana began to weaken because of shifting
trade routes
The Empire of Mali took over Ghana





Mansa Musa- The ruler of Mali when it was at
it’s greatest as an empire
Merchants in Mali traded for kola nuts, food,
and gold
Timbuktu- became a city of great learning
Nomads capture Timbuktu in 1433
Timbuktu is replaced by Songhai (1468)



Highways, canals, postal system links China
together
China’s empire expanded and so did trade
Hangzhou- one of the world’s largest cities
by the 1200’s
Chapter 2, Section 3




China was ruled by an emperor.
An emperor who came to power in 1402 was eager for trade.
He ordered a fleet of more than 300 ships to be built. The
fleet was commanded by Admiral Zheng He.
Zheng He made seven voyages. His fleet traded in Southeast
Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa.
After Zheng He’s death in 1435, China’s overseas voyages
abruptly ended. No one is sure why.



1050- Chinese invents printing with movable
type
Made advances in Navigation (the science of
locating the position and plotting the course
of ships
Invented magnetic compass




Chinese explorer
Made several voyages
with a fleet of more
than 300 giant ships
Fleet visited 30 nations
throughout Asia and
Africa
Traded silks and
pottery for spices,
gems, medicinal herbs,
and ivory


A display at that
compares the size
of ships used by
Zheng He and by
Christopher
Columbus
Zheng He’s ships
were much larger.

The Silk Road
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Trade route
5,000 miles long
Connected Xi’an in China to Persia
Merchants brought silk and other goods.
Traded for Cloves, nutmeg, and peppercorns along
the way
Silk Road