Ch. 7-commerce And Culture

Between 1346 and 1350, Europe experienced a devastating pandemic known as the Black Death. This outbreak resulted in the death of at least one-third of the population. The Black Death was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which was primarily transmitted by fleas that infested black rats. This disease spread rapidly throughout Europe, causing severe symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and blackened skin patches. The high mortality rate and the impact it had on European society make the Black Death the correct answer to this question.

Monsoon winds made the Indian Ocean economy possible. The regular and predictable monsoon winds allowed for efficient maritime trade between different regions in the Indian Ocean. These winds facilitated the movement of ships, enabling traders to navigate the ocean and establish trade routes. The monsoon winds played a crucial role in connecting different cultures, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies across the Indian Ocean region.

Srivijaya is the correct answer because it was a powerful kingdom that controlled the Straits of Malacca from 670 to 1025 C.E. This kingdom was located in Southeast Asia and had a strong maritime presence, which allowed it to dominate trade in the region. Srivijaya's control over the Straits of Malacca gave it significant economic and political influence, making it a dominant power during that time period.

A quipu is a device used by the Incas to record numerical data. It consists of a series of knotted cords, with different colors, lengths, and types of knots representing different numbers and categories of information. The Incas used quipus as a form of communication and record-keeping, as they did not have a written language. The knots on the cords could be untied and rearranged to update or retrieve information, making quipus a versatile tool for data management in the Inca civilization.

Long-distance trade between 500 and 1500 C.E. had a significant impact on various aspects. Firstly, it motivated the creation of states in different regions, as the economic benefits of trade led to the consolidation of power and the formation of organized political entities. Secondly, it affected the day-to-day working lives of many individuals, as they were involved in trade activities and relied on it for their livelihoods. Lastly, trade became a means for the spread of ideas and diseases, as contact between different regions facilitated the exchange of knowledge, cultures, and unfortunately, illnesses. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

The correct answer is Swahili. The Swahili civilization emerged in the eighth century C.E. as a number of independent commercial city-states along the East African coast. The Swahili people were known for their trade networks and cultural exchange with other civilizations, particularly with Arab and Persian traders. They developed a unique culture and language, blending elements of African, Arab, and Persian influences. The Swahili city-states were centers of trade, with goods such as gold, ivory, and slaves being exchanged. The Swahili civilization played a significant role in the Indian Ocean trade network and had a lasting impact on the region's history and culture.

The exchange of diseases along the Silk Roads ultimately gave Western Europeans an advantage in later centuries when they confronted the peoples of the Western Hemisphere who had not been exposed to the diseases of the Silk Roads. This is because the diseases that spread along the Silk Roads, such as smallpox, had already devastated and weakened the populations of Eurasia. When Europeans arrived in the Western Hemisphere, they brought these diseases with them, which had a devastating impact on the indigenous populations who had no immunity to these diseases. This gave the Europeans an advantage in their conquest and colonization of the Americas.

Islam primarily spread via the Indian Ocean economy because of the extensive trade networks that existed in the region during the medieval period. Merchants and traders from Muslim-majority regions such as Arabia, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent played a significant role in spreading the religion through their interactions and cultural exchanges with people in the Indian Ocean region. The trade routes facilitated the movement of goods, ideas, and religious beliefs, leading to the spread of Islam to various coastal areas and islands in Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.

Camels and oases were integral to making the trans-Saharan trade possible. Camels were the primary mode of transportation across the vast desert, as they were well-adapted to the harsh conditions and could travel long distances without water. Oases, on the other hand, provided crucial water sources along the trade routes, allowing traders and their camels to rest and replenish their supplies. Without camels and oases, it would have been nearly impossible to traverse the desert and sustain the trade networks that connected North Africa with the Sahel region and beyond.

The term "Silk Roads" refers to the land-based trade routes that crossed Eurasia, linking the Mediterranean basin to China. These routes were named after the valuable commodity of silk, which was one of the major goods traded along these routes. The Silk Roads played a crucial role in facilitating cultural exchange, economic growth, and the spread of ideas and technologies between different civilizations in the ancient world.

The sought after resource that made the trans-Saharan trade profitable was gold. Gold was highly valued and in high demand during this time period, making it a lucrative commodity for trade. The trans-Saharan trade route allowed for the exchange of goods, including gold, between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to the economic prosperity of the regions involved.

Europe was not involved in the Indian Ocean trade network. The Indian Ocean trade network was a complex system of maritime trade routes that connected various regions including China, India, and Africa. Europe, on the other hand, had its own trade networks such as the Mediterranean trade routes and the Silk Road. While Europe did have some contact and trade with the Indian Ocean region, it was not a major player in the Indian Ocean trade network.

China contributed to the growth of trade in the Indian Ocean between 500 and 1500 C.E. in several ways. Firstly, the Chinese state under the Tang and Song dynasties actively encouraged maritime trade, which helped to stimulate and expand trade networks in the Indian Ocean. Secondly, the invention of the magnetic compass in China greatly improved navigation, making it easier for Chinese and other traders to navigate the vast Indian Ocean. Additionally, China provided a vast and attractive market for Indian and Southeast Asian goods, creating a demand that further fueled trade in the region. However, the Chinese state under the Tang and Song dynasties did not prohibit Chinese merchants from traveling along the Silk Road, as stated in the answer.

The correct answer is "drew upon the wealth of the trans-Saharan trade." This is because after 500 C.E., many states in West Africa benefited from the trans-Saharan trade, which involved the exchange of goods such as gold, salt, and slaves across the Sahara Desert. The wealth generated from this trade route allowed these states to prosper and develop strong economies.

The correct answer is "Followers of the Zoroastrian faith embraced Buddhism in large numbers." This answer is not a factor that facilitated the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Roads because Zoroastrianism and Buddhism are two separate religions with different beliefs and practices. The spread of Buddhism along the Silk Roads was facilitated by factors such as Buddhist monks traveling to spread their religion, wealthy Buddhist merchants building monasteries, and foreign merchants introducing Buddhism to northern China.

Silk was used as currency and as a means of accumulating wealth in Central Asia. Along the Silk Roads, silk became a highly valued commodity and was used as a form of currency. It was traded extensively, and its value allowed individuals to accumulate wealth through its exchange. This practice contributed to the economic significance of silk along the Silk Roads and its role in facilitating trade and commerce in Central Asia.

The Atlantic Ocean Roads across the eastern Atlantic between Europe and equatorial West Africa were not an important Eurasian trade route before 1450. The other three options, the Sand Roads across the Sahara Desert, the Sea Roads across the Indian Ocean, and the Silk Roads across Central Asia, were all significant trade routes connecting different regions of Eurasia. However, the Atlantic Ocean route did not play a major role in trade between Europe and equatorial West Africa during this time period.

Cahokia is the correct answer because it was located at the confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers. This strategic location allowed Cahokia to become a central hub for trade in North America, as it was easily accessible by waterways. The convergence of these rivers also provided Cahokia with fertile land for agriculture, further contributing to its economic importance in the region.

Third-wave civilizations differed from classical civilizations in terms of their participation in long-distance trade. Unlike classical civilizations, third-wave civilizations actively engaged in trade over long distances. This means that they had extensive networks and connections with other regions, allowing for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. In contrast, classical civilizations may have had trade networks, but they were not as extensive or widespread as those of third-wave civilizations.

The impact of The Silk Road on Buddhism was significant in various ways. Firstly, many Buddhist monks adopted the use of luxurious silk fabric into their religious practices, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Secondly, Buddhists started depicting Buddha as a deity, elevating his status and emphasizing his divine nature. Lastly, the gods worshipped by local communities along the Silk Roads were incorporated into Buddhist practice, leading to a syncretic blend of beliefs. Therefore, all of the given statements are true in terms of the impact of The Silk Road on Buddhism.

European exploration proved to be the decisive blow to the Indian Ocean economy because it opened up new trade routes and shifted the center of global trade from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. The European powers, such as Portugal, Spain, and later the Dutch and British, established direct trade connections with Asia, bypassing the traditional Indian Ocean trading networks. This led to a decline in the importance of the Indian Ocean as a hub of trade and commerce, impacting the economies of the region and causing a shift in global trade dynamics.

The Silk Roads were largely a "relay trade" route, in which goods were passed down the line rather than carried by one merchant along the entire route. This means that goods were exchanged between different merchants at various points along the Silk Roads, rather than being transported by a single merchant from one end to the other. This allowed for the exchange of goods and ideas between different regions and civilizations, contributing to the cultural and economic interconnectedness of the Eurasian continent.

The correct answer suggests that Mesoamerica and the Andes had little direct contact with each other. This means that they did not have significant interactions or trade relationships. This is supported by the statement that they ran similar regional economies controlled by the state, indicating that they focused more on internal trade and self-sufficiency rather than engaging in extensive trade with each other.