Eurasian Trade RoutesEurasian Trade Routes

ChinaChina

Tai Zu, the founding emperor of the Ming Tai Zu, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, died in 1398, leaving his grandson as dynasty, died in 1398, leaving his grandson as emperor.emperor.

His fifth son, Cheng Zu, the Prince of Yan, tried His fifth son, Cheng Zu, the Prince of Yan, tried to unseat his nephew after an 18 month reign.to unseat his nephew after an 18 month reign.

A civil war ensued, which lasted from 1399-A civil war ensued, which lasted from 1399-1402, with the Prince having victory in the end.1402, with the Prince having victory in the end.

Cheng Zu’s ReformsCheng Zu’s Reforms

Drove the Mongols into the steppe where Drove the Mongols into the steppe where they could not threaten China.they could not threaten China.

Moved the capital from Nanjing (Southern Moved the capital from Nanjing (Southern Capital) to Beijing (Northern Capital).Capital) to Beijing (Northern Capital).

Sent embassies far into Central Asia.Sent embassies far into Central Asia. Incorporated North Vietnam into the Incorporated North Vietnam into the

Chinese empire.Chinese empire. Launched massive expeditions into the Launched massive expeditions into the

Indian Ocean.Indian Ocean.

The Chinese ArmadaThe Chinese Armada

Admiral Zheng He assembled the largest fleet of Admiral Zheng He assembled the largest fleet of ships the world had ever seen (300 ships, ships the world had ever seen (300 ships, 27,000 sailors) and sailed from China in 1405.27,000 sailors) and sailed from China in 1405.

He had three goals:He had three goals:

1)1) Track down the Emperor’s nephewTrack down the Emperor’s nephew

2)2) Impressing foreign countries with China’s mightImpressing foreign countries with China’s might

3)3) Encourage overseas tradeEncourage overseas trade

(The overland trade routes had disappeared when (The overland trade routes had disappeared when the Mongol empire collapsed in the mid-1300s)the Mongol empire collapsed in the mid-1300s)

From 1404-1407, 1,681 ships were built in China.From 1404-1407, 1,681 ships were built in China.

Voyages of Zheng HeVoyages of Zheng He

Seven VoyagesSeven Voyages Altogether, the Chinese mounted seven 2-year Altogether, the Chinese mounted seven 2-year

voyages.voyages. All of the voyages included pilots that could All of the voyages included pilots that could

speak Arabic, since this was the language of speak Arabic, since this was the language of commerce and shipping on the Indian Ocean. commerce and shipping on the Indian Ocean. Zheng He himself was Muslim.Zheng He himself was Muslim.

During this time, China established formal During this time, China established formal relations with many Muslim nations.relations with many Muslim nations.

After the emperor died in 1435, no more naval After the emperor died in 1435, no more naval voyages were undertaken. The new emperor voyages were undertaken. The new emperor chose to focus on rebuilding the Great Wall.chose to focus on rebuilding the Great Wall.

China’s EconomyChina’s Economy

China had been experiencing some economic China had been experiencing some economic difficulties.difficulties.

China’s monetary system had collapsed in the China’s monetary system had collapsed in the mid-1300s, along with the Mongol empire.mid-1300s, along with the Mongol empire.

The Ming dynasty had printed more paper The Ming dynasty had printed more paper money, increasing inflation.money, increasing inflation.

Copper coins from other dynasties were soon Copper coins from other dynasties were soon substituted, but then silver mines were opened substituted, but then silver mines were opened to produce silver bullion for financial to produce silver bullion for financial transactions.transactions.

China’s ImportsChina’s Imports China’s need for silver could not be satisfied by China’s need for silver could not be satisfied by

domestic mines.domestic mines. It traded Japan for silver initially, but increasingly It traded Japan for silver initially, but increasingly

obtained silver from Europeans as well.obtained silver from Europeans as well. China also needed to import horses, some raw China also needed to import horses, some raw

materials, as well as exotic foods (bird’s nests materials, as well as exotic foods (bird’s nests and sea slugs) and black pepper.and sea slugs) and black pepper.

China saw potential troubles in foreign trade so China saw potential troubles in foreign trade so most of it was government controlled in the form most of it was government controlled in the form of monopolies.of monopolies.

Indian OceanIndian Ocean

For over 1,000 years, the Indian Ocean was For over 1,000 years, the Indian Ocean was arguably the most important crossroads of arguably the most important crossroads of trade in the world.trade in the world.

These years can be divided into three periods:These years can be divided into three periods:

1)1) 650-1000 Arab traders and mariners 650-1000 Arab traders and mariners dominated, Islam spread from Africa to China.dominated, Islam spread from Africa to China.

2)2) 1000-1500 Chinese competed with the Arabs 1000-1500 Chinese competed with the Arabs and Indians.and Indians.

3)3) 1500-1750 Europeans introduced “armed 1500-1750 Europeans introduced “armed trading”.trading”.

Second Period of Indian OceanSecond Period of Indian Ocean

From 1000-1500, the ocean was divided into From 1000-1500, the ocean was divided into three overlapping zones of trade:three overlapping zones of trade:

1)1) Western zone: Arab traders most activeWestern zone: Arab traders most active

2)2) Central circuit: dominated by IndiansCentral circuit: dominated by Indians

3)3) South China Sea circuit: Chinese most activeSouth China Sea circuit: Chinese most active During this period, no one political power tried During this period, no one political power tried

to dominate and trading was carried out to dominate and trading was carried out peacefully, without a naval convoy. None of the peacefully, without a naval convoy. None of the great ports of trade were walled or fortified.great ports of trade were walled or fortified.

Third Period of Indian OceanThird Period of Indian Ocean From 1500-1750, first the Portuguese and From 1500-1750, first the Portuguese and

then the Dutch, English, and French sailed then the Dutch, English, and French sailed into the Indian Ocean and tried to control into the Indian Ocean and tried to control shipping lanes and port cities by force. shipping lanes and port cities by force.

This forced the other groups which were This forced the other groups which were already there to arm themselves in defense already there to arm themselves in defense or to pay the intruders for protection.or to pay the intruders for protection.

Although they tried to dominate from the Although they tried to dominate from the start, Europeans did not control trade in in start, Europeans did not control trade in in the Indian Ocean until steamships were the Indian Ocean until steamships were invented in the late 1800s.invented in the late 1800s.

IndiaIndia

Unlike China, India at this time was not a unified Unlike China, India at this time was not a unified empire. It had a history of unity/disunity imposed empire. It had a history of unity/disunity imposed by outside conquerors.by outside conquerors.

The center of Indian civilization was in the north, The center of Indian civilization was in the north, in particular the Indus River valley.in particular the Indus River valley.

Invasions of IndiaInvasions of IndiaCenturyCentury 6th- Huns left numerous weak, warring states6th- Huns left numerous weak, warring states 8th & 10th- Arabs spreading Islamic faith8th & 10th- Arabs spreading Islamic faith 12th- Turkish Muslims established Delhi 12th- Turkish Muslims established Delhi

sultanate.sultanate. 14th- Timur the Lame ravaged northern India 14th- Timur the Lame ravaged northern India

and sacked Delhi.and sacked Delhi. South India had its own language and political South India had its own language and political

history. It proved more difficult to conquer.history. It proved more difficult to conquer.

Dar al-IslamDar al-Islam

The Spread of IslamThe Spread of Islam 632- the Prophet Mohammed died.632- the Prophet Mohammed died. Within a century Muslim, or “believer”, armies Within a century Muslim, or “believer”, armies

had unified the Arabian peninsula and captured had unified the Arabian peninsula and captured much of Persia, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and much of Persia, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and north Africa.north Africa.

This created a realm of common language and This created a realm of common language and custom that covered much of the Old World.custom that covered much of the Old World.

The largest libraries from the 8th-15th centuries The largest libraries from the 8th-15th centuries were in Islamic lands.were in Islamic lands.

Expansion of Islamic empires into the Expansion of Islamic empires into the Mediterranean cut Europe off from the Indian Mediterranean cut Europe off from the Indian Ocean.Ocean.

Fragmenting ControlFragmenting Control Central political control over the Islamic Central political control over the Islamic

empire began breaking up.empire began breaking up. The Abbasid dynasty had its capital in The Abbasid dynasty had its capital in

Baghdad and governed a core region of Islam Baghdad and governed a core region of Islam until, in 1258, Mongol forces capture and until, in 1258, Mongol forces capture and destroyed Baghdad, killing the last Abbasid destroyed Baghdad, killing the last Abbasid caliph.caliph.

Three new Islamic empires arose:Three new Islamic empires arose:1)1) Ottoman- inherited the western part of dar al- Ottoman- inherited the western part of dar al-

IslamIslam2)2) Safavids- established rule over PersiaSafavids- established rule over Persia3)3) Mughals conquered most of IndiaMughals conquered most of India

ConstantinopleConstantinople

Also controlled trade between the Also controlled trade between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Capital of the Capital of the Byzantine Byzantine empire and the empire and the eastern outpost eastern outpost of Christendom. of Christendom.

Impeded the Impeded the westward westward advance of advance of Islam. Islam.

Fall of ConstantinopleFall of Constantinople late 13th century-Turkish nomads, led by Osman late 13th century-Turkish nomads, led by Osman

Bey, consolidated their power in what is now Bey, consolidated their power in what is now Turkey, forming the Ottoman empire.Turkey, forming the Ottoman empire.

14th century- the Ottomans built a military 14th century- the Ottomans built a military machine based on gunpowder technology and a machine based on gunpowder technology and a slave-based army.slave-based army.

15th century- the Ottomans laid siege to 15th century- the Ottomans laid siege to Constantinople, which fell in 1453.Constantinople, which fell in 1453.

They renamed the city Istanbul. This was a huge They renamed the city Istanbul. This was a huge blow to Christian Europe, and effectively blocked blow to Christian Europe, and effectively blocked European access to the eastern Mediterranean.European access to the eastern Mediterranean.

West AfricaWest Africa

Developed a number of great empires Developed a number of great empires which traded with the rest of the world.which traded with the rest of the world.

Kingdom of Ghana Kingdom of Ghana The most strategically located state at the time The most strategically located state at the time

of the Muslim arrival in north Africa.of the Muslim arrival in north Africa. Was situated at the juncture of three different Was situated at the juncture of three different

ecosystems- the savanna, the rainforest, and ecosystems- the savanna, the rainforest, and the Sahara desert.the Sahara desert.

All of the African empires that traded north All of the African empires that traded north across the Sahara converted to Islam between across the Sahara converted to Islam between the 10th and 12th centuries, including the kings the 10th and 12th centuries, including the kings of Ghana.of Ghana.

Ghana traded gold for cloth, horses, beads, Ghana traded gold for cloth, horses, beads, mirrors and salt.mirrors and salt.

Mali empireMali empire The Mali empire replaced Ghana from the 13th to The Mali empire replaced Ghana from the 13th to

the early 15th century.the early 15th century. During this time, Mali controlled almost all trade During this time, Mali controlled almost all trade

in west Africa. Caravans of up to 25,000 camels in west Africa. Caravans of up to 25,000 camels brought gold, slaves, and Indian textiles into Mali.brought gold, slaves, and Indian textiles into Mali.

Timbuktu became a great center of learning. Timbuktu became a great center of learning. Scholars, architect, poets, and astronomers Scholars, architect, poets, and astronomers came to the university and Muslim theologians came to the university and Muslim theologians established many schools.established many schools.

Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca in Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, bringing huge amounts of gold with him. 1324, bringing huge amounts of gold with him.

East AfricaEast Africa Another route Islam took into Africa to trading Another route Islam took into Africa to trading

cities along the east coast of Africa. Ivory, cities along the east coast of Africa. Ivory, animal skins, gold & slaves were traded there.animal skins, gold & slaves were traded there.

People in these cities converted to Islam and People in these cities converted to Islam and intermarried with traders from many lands, intermarried with traders from many lands, giving rise to a new coastal culture and giving rise to a new coastal culture and language called Swahili, which is related to language called Swahili, which is related to Arabic.Arabic.

In addition to the large empires, political power In addition to the large empires, political power in Africa was fragmented into hundreds of in Africa was fragmented into hundreds of “mini-states” often with warfare between them.“mini-states” often with warfare between them.

SlaverySlavery

The word slave comes from “Slavs”, the name The word slave comes from “Slavs”, the name for a group of Eastern European people living for a group of Eastern European people living near the Black Sea.near the Black Sea.

Slaves were mostly used as domestic servants Slaves were mostly used as domestic servants of the wealthy and powerful. of the wealthy and powerful.

Slavery was not based on skin color and virtually Slavery was not based on skin color and virtually every society we have discussed so far kept every society we have discussed so far kept slaves. Africans kept slaves, generally they did slaves. Africans kept slaves, generally they did not own land privately but owned labor instead.not own land privately but owned labor instead.

Wars between mini-states contributed to the Wars between mini-states contributed to the slave trade in Africa.slave trade in Africa.

EuropeEurope Like Africa, Europe in 1400 was divided into Like Africa, Europe in 1400 was divided into

hundreds of political units that were often at war hundreds of political units that were often at war with one another. This is in contrast to China, with one another. This is in contrast to China, which was a huge empire ruled by a single man.which was a huge empire ruled by a single man.

Europe’s system of fragmented sovereignty was Europe’s system of fragmented sovereignty was the result of the breakup of the Roman empire in the result of the breakup of the Roman empire in the 6th century as well as the spread of Islam in the 6th century as well as the spread of Islam in the 8th century.the 8th century.

At this time, holding a piece of land, along with At this time, holding a piece of land, along with its agricultural produce, and having a castle to its agricultural produce, and having a castle to secure the land was a primary objective.secure the land was a primary objective.

Warfare in EuropeWarfare in Europe

For many years swords, knives, lances, pikes, For many years swords, knives, lances, pikes, and long- and crossbows were used in Europe.and long- and crossbows were used in Europe.

All this changed when cannons fired by All this changed when cannons fired by gunpowder were introduced in the 14th century.gunpowder were introduced in the 14th century.

Gunpowder and cannons had been invented by Gunpowder and cannons had been invented by the Chinese around 1000 A.D.the Chinese around 1000 A.D.

The Mongols improved upon the technology, The Mongols improved upon the technology, using it to bombard Chinese cities in the 13th using it to bombard Chinese cities in the 13th century. They also used cannons against century. They also used cannons against Europeans, who further improved the technology.Europeans, who further improved the technology.

Notable Cannon MilestonesNotable Cannon Milestones1327- 1st evidence of a European cannon1327- 1st evidence of a European cannon

1453- Cannons used to capture Constantinople1453- Cannons used to capture Constantinople

1453- France uses cannons to end 100 Years War1453- France uses cannons to end 100 Years War

1492- Muslims driven from Granada by Spanish1492- Muslims driven from Granada by Spanish

1494- French kings invaded Brittan and then Italy1494- French kings invaded Brittan and then Italy

1500- Pisa develops new fortifications that can 1500- Pisa develops new fortifications that can withstand cannon firewithstand cannon fire

Armed Trading in the Armed Trading in the MediterraneanMediterranean

Europeans needed a way to preserve their food.Europeans needed a way to preserve their food. Salt was available but pepper and other Asian Salt was available but pepper and other Asian

spices were in high demand.spices were in high demand. Europeans fought constantly over who had Europeans fought constantly over who had

access to the Asia spice trade.access to the Asia spice trade. The city-states of Genoa & Venice had competed The city-states of Genoa & Venice had competed

for centuries. Each side built warships to protect for centuries. Each side built warships to protect their merchants and all sailors were fighters.their merchants and all sailors were fighters.

Venice, by 1400, had secured a virtual monopoly.Venice, by 1400, had secured a virtual monopoly.

Portuguese ExplorationsPortuguese Explorations

The Venetian monopoly meant that other The Venetian monopoly meant that other European nations were cut off from the trade.European nations were cut off from the trade.

Henry the Navigator led the Portuguese Henry the Navigator led the Portuguese southward in the Atlantic. He had heard from southward in the Atlantic. He had heard from Arabs that the southern tip of Africa could Arabs that the southern tip of Africa could rounded, bypassing the Venetians.rounded, bypassing the Venetians.

In 1415, he attacked Muslim positions on the In 1415, he attacked Muslim positions on the western coast of Africa and sent out yearly western coast of Africa and sent out yearly expeditions until he reached the equator. expeditions until he reached the equator.

He died in 1460 without reaching his goal. He died in 1460 without reaching his goal.

Missed Opportunity?Missed Opportunity? At the same time that Henry the Navigator was At the same time that Henry the Navigator was

sailing down the west coast of Africa, Chinese sailing down the west coast of Africa, Chinese sailors under the command of Zheng He had sailors under the command of Zheng He had reached the east coast and had secured reached the east coast and had secured Chinese dominance of the Indian Ocean.Chinese dominance of the Indian Ocean.

Had the Chinese naval expeditions continued, Had the Chinese naval expeditions continued, they would have almost certainly rounded the they would have almost certainly rounded the tip of Africa and opened up a direct trade route tip of Africa and opened up a direct trade route with Europe themselves.with Europe themselves.

The Portuguese would have been no match for The Portuguese would have been no match for the Chinese navy. the Chinese navy.

Cape of Good HopeCape of Good Hope

In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias finally reached the In 1488, Bartholomeu Dias finally reached the tip of Africa for the Portuguese.tip of Africa for the Portuguese.

When a Genoan sailor named Christopher When a Genoan sailor named Christopher Columbus approached Portugal with a new Columbus approached Portugal with a new plan to reach Asia by sailing west, he was plan to reach Asia by sailing west, he was rejected.rejected.

After news of Columbus’s “success” reached After news of Columbus’s “success” reached Portugal, they redoubled their efforts to open up Portugal, they redoubled their efforts to open up a route to Asia past the Cape.a route to Asia past the Cape.

Vasco da Gama sailed to Calicut, India in 1498.Vasco da Gama sailed to Calicut, India in 1498.

Armed Trading in the Indian OceanArmed Trading in the Indian Ocean

Upon da Gama’s return to Portugal, another Upon da Gama’s return to Portugal, another expedition was sent out with the purpose of expedition was sent out with the purpose of driving the Muslims from Calicut.driving the Muslims from Calicut.

The system of peaceful trade on the Indian The system of peaceful trade on the Indian Ocean was brought to a halt.Ocean was brought to a halt.

By 1515, the Portuguese had taken Hormuz and By 1515, the Portuguese had taken Hormuz and Malacca and then moved into the South China Malacca and then moved into the South China Sea.Sea.

While the Chinese banned Portugal from trading While the Chinese banned Portugal from trading on the mainland, they gave them the island of on the mainland, they gave them the island of Macao on the southwestern edge of the country.Macao on the southwestern edge of the country.

Effect of Portuguese DominanceEffect of Portuguese Dominance

Since trade between China and Japan had Since trade between China and Japan had been banned at this time, Portugal took been banned at this time, Portugal took advantage of this by taking sliver and gold from advantage of this by taking sliver and gold from Japan and returning with Chinese silks.Japan and returning with Chinese silks.

Asian rulers of coastal trading cities were Asian rulers of coastal trading cities were forced to fortify their territories and equip their forced to fortify their territories and equip their own navies. The ruler of Sumatra built a navy own navies. The ruler of Sumatra built a navy that could run Portuguese blockades and take that could run Portuguese blockades and take their ships and arms. Imported Ottoman their ships and arms. Imported Ottoman cannons were even used to threaten Malacca.cannons were even used to threaten Malacca.