Silk Road
Definition
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting the East and West, extending from the Korean peninsula and Japan to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time, primarily the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) in China.
Analogy
Think of the Silk Road as a giant shopping mall that stretches across continents. Just like how you can find different stores selling unique products in a mall, different regions along the Silk Road traded their special goods and ideas.
Related terms
Trade Route: A logistical network identified as a series of pathways and stoppages used for the commercial transport of cargo.
Cultural Diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.
Caravanserai: An inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa.
"Silk Road" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (5)
AP World History: Modern - 1.7 Comparisons in the Period from 1200-1450
AP World History: Modern - 2.1 The Silk Roads
AP World History: Modern - 2.2 The Mongol Empire and the Making of the Modern World
AP World History: Modern - 2.5 Cultural Effects of Trade
AP World History: Modern - 2.7 Comparison in Trade from 1200-1450
Practice Questions (20+)
Indian Ocean trade was different from trade along the Silk Road in that
Which of the following is true regarding the Silk Road?
Which group’s diaspora sent them to Central Asia along the Silk Road in the Post Classical Period?
A similarity between the Silk Road and the Trans-Saharan trade route was
Which of the following was NOT a city along the Silk Road?
Which of the following are similarities between the Silk Road and the Trans-Saharan trade?
What was a distinguishing feature of the Silk Road?
Who were primarily responsible for facilitating trade along The Silk Road during the Yuan dynasty?
Which technological advancement contributed to safer navigation on the maritime portion of the Silk Road?
What technological innovation can be traced back to its origins on the Silk Road?
Which commodity was NOT a principal good transported along the Silk Road during its peak of activity?
What allowed for maritime routes to become more heavily utilized than overland ones like the Silk Road during later centuries?
How did Islam's spread influence commercial activity along the Silk Road during Medieval times?
How did the Crusades impact trade along the Silk Road?
How might widespread disease outbreaks along the Silk Road in antiquity possibly affect global historical dynamics?
What alternative outcome might there be if nomadic herders had not facilitated long distance travel along the silk road?
Which of the following was a unique feature of the Indian Ocean trade routes compared to the Silk Road?
What was a primary difference between the trans-Saharan trade routes and the Silk Road during the same period?
What was a direct socio-cultural effect of Silk Road trading routes?
Which cultural aspect was most significantly influenced by the Silk Road trade during the Middle Ages?
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.