Middle Age Trade: Europe, Africa, and Asia

By: Mabel Kyinn for Mr. Haskvitz of the

NationalTeachers Hall of Fame

How Things Work

Routes…

Routes were established to create a common pathway for merchants to trade internationally

Major Routes

Euro-Asia: Silk Road, Appian Way, Egnation Way, Siberian

Route, Volga Route, Grand Trunk Road

Euro-Africa: Salt Road, Via Maris, Trans-Saharan Trade,

Triangle Trade Routes

Asia-Africa: Incense Road, King’s Highway

…between Europe and Africa

…between Europe and Asia

…between Asia and Africa

Goods…

Inside the three continents, goods are exchanged along the routes and in cities, which prosper economically and grow. They vary from each

country depending on their demands.

…between Europe and Africa From Europe:

• Copper, cloth, trinkets, slave beads, guns, ammunition, rum, wines, sugar, molasses

From Africa:• ivory, tortoise shells,

grains, spears, axes, knives, slaves, animal hides/furs, salt, meat

…between Europe and Asia From Europe:

• Glassware, jewelry, metals, crystals, precious stones, furs, spices, perfumes, horses

From Asia:• Silk, jade, spices, oils,

pearls, incense, spices, peppers, crafts, rice, paper, tea, gun powder, porcelain

…between Asia and Africa From Asia: spices,

From Africa: salt, spices, furs, wood, gold, ivory,

Inventions…

When traded, these three continents are linked through demand of efficiency that allows for more to be produced in a smaller amount time.

…in Europe

Movable printing type, hourglass, tide mill, jack, automatic turnspit, roller bearings, two-level bridge, wheel barrow, horseshoes/collar, stirrups, magnetic compass, glasses, cannon, 4-wheeled wagon, liquor

…in Asia

Spinning Wheel, liquor, paper, blast furnace, chain pump, gun powder, seed drill, early suspension bridge,

…in Africa

Role of Merchants in Arab Society

Europe, Asia, and Africa center around Islamic Saudi Arabia and Holy Land, Jerusalem

Arabia dislike other beliefs/ religions b/c no other prophet than Mohammad came from country

Merchants sneak in and introduce religions/goods/inventions, interesting local Arabs

Role of Merchants (continued) Many Arabs begin trading, bringing new

ideas and spreading Islam to other countries

Trade brings growing economy, larger than other single countries b/c of location at center

Improvements on inventions attract more merchants to Arabia

Border of Islamic (Arabian) Expansion

Quiz Time!

① What are two reasons that explain why the routes in the Middle Ages were established?

② Why did Arabians try to keep isolated?③ Name at least three of the goods traded

between Asia and Africa.④ Name at least three inventions traded

between Europe and Asia.⑤ List one major route each for Euro-Asia,

Euro-Africa, and Asia Africa.

Answers

① By the demand in goods and the creation of inventions.

② Arabians tried to keep foreign influences out, especially other religions since no other prophet other than Mohammad was from their country

③ Asdf

Answers (continued)