AP World UNIT 2 REVIEW (Everything you NEED to KNOW!)

Heimler's History・2 minutes read

Unit 2 of AP World History covers the period from 1200 to 1450, focusing on the interconnectedness of states and empires through networks of exchange like the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and Trans-Saharan Trade Network, with developments in commercial practices and technological advancements leading to increased wealth and power. The text examines the impact of these networks on trade, cultural diffusion, innovations, and the spread of diseases like the Bubonic plague, highlighting the significant role of entities like the Mongol Empire in promoting international trade and cultural exchanges during this period.

Insights

  • The Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and Trans-Saharan Trade Network were crucial in connecting states and empires from 1200 to 1450, leading to advancements in commercial practices and technologies that boosted wealth and power.
  • The Mongol Empire played a pivotal role during this period by fostering international trade, ensuring merchant safety along the Silk Roads, and facilitating technological and cultural exchanges, highlighting the transformative impact of interconnected networks on global history.

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Recent questions

  • What were the major trade networks in AP World History Unit 2?

    Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, Trans-Saharan Trade Network

  • How did the Indian Ocean Network expand during AP World History Unit 2?

    Monsoon winds, technological innovations, new ship designs

  • What were the outcomes of the expansion of the Trans-Saharan Trade Network?

    Wealth and power of states like Mali under Mansa Musa

  • How did the Silk Roads contribute to the spread of cultural diffusion?

    Establishment of diasporic communities, spread of Islam, new languages

  • How did the Mongol Empire impact trade and communication along the Silk Roads?

    Facilitated extensive networks of exchange, encouraged international trade

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Summary

00:00

Interconnected Trade Networks 1200-1450: Wealth & Power

  • AP World History Unit 2 focuses on the time period 1200 to 1450, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various states and empires through networks of exchange.
  • Three major networks of exchange are highlighted: the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean Network, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Network.
  • General developments among these networks include an expansion in geographical range, innovations in commercial practices and technological advancements, leading to increased wealth and power of participating states.
  • The Silk Roads primarily traded luxury goods like Chinese silk and porcelain, with the expansion of these routes reflecting growing demand for such items.
  • Innovations like Caravanserais and the development of money economies facilitated trade along the Silk Roads.
  • The rise of powerful trading cities like Kashgar along the Silk Roads was a direct result of increased trade.
  • The Indian Ocean Network saw an expansion in scope during this period, with trade facilitated by an understanding of monsoon winds and technological innovations like the magnetic compass and new ship designs.
  • Commercial practices like various forms of credit and the growth of states like the Swahili city-states were outcomes of the expansion of the Indian Ocean Network.
  • Cultural diffusion in the Indian Ocean Network led to the establishment of diasporic communities, the spread of Islam, and the emergence of new languages like Swahili.
  • The Trans-Saharan Trade Network expanded due to innovations in transportation technologies, like the camel saddle, leading to the wealth and power of states like Mali under Mansa Musa.

10:59

Trade Routes: Catalyst for Global Exchange and Growth

  • Ibn Battuta, a Muslim scholar from Morocco, traveled extensively across Dar Al Islam for about 30 years, documenting his experiences, people, rulers, and cultures, enabled by trade routes.
  • The transfer of crops like Champa rice from the Champa Kingdom to China through the tribute system significantly increased food production, leading to population growth.
  • The Bubonic plague, originating in China in 1331, spread through trading routes carried by rats and fleas, causing devastating mortality in the Middle East and Europe due to increased connectivity.
  • The Mongol Empire, establishing the largest land-based empire, facilitated extensive networks of exchange, encouraged international trade, increased safety for merchants along the Silk Roads, and promoted communication and cooperation, leading to significant technological and cultural transfers.
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