Medieval
Trade
Overview
600s to 1400s –
Long Distance
Trade
Interregional
Built on earlier routes
Higher volume
Longer Distances
Intermediaries & mark ups –
goods travel further than people
Largely for wealthy customers
but commoners impacted
Wealthiest
Regions: East
Asia, Middle East
China – Unique Goods
Silk – production secret
Porcelain – highly
skilled
Middle East – Nexus of
Networks
Powerful rulers who
favored trade
New Technology
Facilitates Trade
Compass –
reliable heading,
longer voyages
3rd Century, China
In Europe by 12th
Century
New Technology Astrolabe – determine latitude, altitude
of sun/stars
Facilitates Trade 3rd Century, Greece
Refined Arabic Astrolabe reintroduced to
Europe 12th Century
New Technology
Facilitates Trade
Lateen Sail – turn
against wind
2nd Century,
Egypt/Persian Gulf
New Technology
Facilitates Trade
Stern Post Rudder –
maneuverability
3rd Century, China
In Europe by 12th
Century
Powerful
Empires
Promote Trade
Large, centralized governments, cover
significant area
Reduce banditry/piracy
Protection, rule of law
Currency, including paper currency
Infrastructure: roads, canals
Mutually beneficial – trade strengthens
empire, empire strengthens trade
(taxes, better economy)
Nomadic Societies
Facilitate Overland
Trade
Already moving, often carry
goods or guide caravans
Mongols – Central Asia
(Silk Road)
Berbers – North Africa
(Trans-Sahara Network)
Impacts –
Cultural
Diffusion,
Religion
Buddhism (Silk Road)
Islam (Trans-Sahara,
Indian Ocean, Silk
Road)
Example: Indonesia
highest proportion
Muslim today
Impacts: Cultural
Diffusion, Language
Diffusion & Syncretism
Arabic
Bantu Language Group
[Link]
Oe4mkzBdCs
Impacts: Cultural
Diffusion, Philosophy
Muslim scholars
preserve Greek &
Roman classics
Arabic Numerals
Impacts: Gunpowder
Technology Printing Press
Impacts: New Cities
Swahili Coast
Mombasa, Kenya
Zanzibar
Mogadishu
Timbuktu, Mali
Hangzhou, China
Palmyra, Syria
Srivajaya, Indonesia
Baghdad, Iraq
Srivajaya &
Strait of
Malacca
