AP WORLD HISTORY OUTSIDE READING
The World That Trade Created:
Society, Culture, and the World Economy, 1400 to the Present
By Kenneth Pomeranz and Steven Topik
PURPOSE
At the center of world history is the theme called “interactions.” Interactions include war, trade,
immigration, and exchanges of ideas. Interactions are what have led to the creation and birth of
all cultures. Perhaps the most important for the transformation of the world has been trade.
Unfortunately, most textbooks do not discuss the impact of economics and trade. Moreover, most
economic discussions are bland and boring to students.
The book, The World That Trade Created is a wonderful book which is often witty and
entertaining. It also has been the basis of numerous AP essays over the years and undoubtedly
will be in the future.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please contact me. My email is mkistner@bdhs.org. I will respond as
soon as I possible.
THE READING SPIRAL
Use at least a 70-page spiral notebook (college rule) to take your notes. As you read, complete
all of the following.

Organize each section and its chapters separately. Put the section, chapter names, and
their beginning pages at the top of your sections. Your notes and work should follow.

While reading, take brief summary notes. You should write the notes on 3 x 3 post-it
notes. Write approximately one per page – no more. Rewrite the notes in your notebook
in an outline format. Write an outline for each section or chapter.

In each chapter, identify words, which are unfamiliar to you. Look them up as soon
as possible in a dictionary. These words should be listed and defined in the journal noted
below.

Identify passages, which seem to have stated a significant idea for a main idea of the
chapter or text. Include these passages in your outlines of the journal.

In each unit and sub-section, identify three themes per chapter. Write a one or two
sentence description of each theme per chapter. It might be wise if you selected one or
two themes from the list below and read for these themes throughout rather than do
different themes each chapter.
THEMES FOR THE WORLD THAT TRADE CREATED
Patterns, impacts of interaction amongst major societies: trade, exchanges, diplomacy, war,
and international organizations
THE FORMAL REPORT
Complete the following work to be turned in the first week of school.

Write a summary of the work using the chapter notes to create this summary. Begin by
identifying the chapter number; then write a one paragraph summary of each of the
separate units and smaller sections.

Identify three major themes that occurred throughout the work. Using your notes from
above, write a summary of no more than one page on each theme describing each theme
as it occurred in your reading.

List three major cultures, social groups, or religious traditions you encountered in
reading the work. For each culture, group, or tradition, write a four or five (4 – 5)
sentence description in which you explain details of the culture, group, or religion.
Explain why they are significant to the history course you will have.

Write at least five questions, which you would like to have answered about the work
during class discussions.

List and define fifteen (15) vocabulary words, which you did not previously know.

Write down five significant passages, which you noted during the reading. Also write
down the page number for each quotation. After each quotation, write two sentences in
which you explain how this passage reveals a theme, aspect of history, society, or
economics.
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE ON THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF CLASS.