Change over Time: Silk Road
Change over time: Silk Road (200B.C.E-1450C.E)
During the time between 200 B.C.E and 1450 C.E, many profound transformations were made to the Silk Road, but it still held on to its original purpose. Although the similarities may outweigh the changes, the Silk Road diffused disease along with culture, adapted to overseas trade, helped to forge a connection between Asian and European markets and triggered periods of Enlightenment in Europe.
The Silk Road started, mainly, as a way for trade to flourish between Europe and Asia. Many Europeans were interested in luxury goods such as silk, jade, spices and porcelain. Resulting, the Asians were able to prosper from the exporting of such goods. Asia’s economy, such as that of China specifically, remained heavily reliant on the money from the Silk Road trade, without regard to the origin or type of goods that fueled such. Likewise, Europe’s economic status remained fueled by Asian trades.
While the goods being traded and the areas it all went to changed; the purpose did not. The Silk Road originally began on a small scale as a simple route of transport for Eurasian merchants. Eventually it grew into an international necessity, not only economically, but culturally also. Once the Europeans were revealed to the Asian spices, fabrics, etc., they became fond to their new found luxuries. That, additionally to Europe having the same effect on Asia, gradually shaped both cultures.
Goods were not the only interactions along the Silk Road. One of the major tragedies in the Eastern Hemisphere was the Bubonic Plague. The Plague originated from the Mongols and spread westward along the Silk Road. The Silk Road had many merchants from all over the continent so the spread of the disease was inevitable. The luxury goods that came from Asia were often carried long distances either by animal or by boat, either way aiding the transfer of the Plague.
The major religion of Islam also became strengthened by interactions along the Silk
During the time between 200 B.C.E and 1450 C.E, many profound transformations were made to the Silk Road, but it still held on to its original purpose. Although the similarities may outweigh the changes, the Silk Road diffused disease along with culture, adapted to overseas trade, helped to forge a connection between Asian and European markets and triggered periods of Enlightenment in Europe.
The Silk Road started, mainly, as a way for trade to flourish between Europe and Asia. Many Europeans were interested in luxury goods such as silk, jade, spices and porcelain. Resulting, the Asians were able to prosper from the exporting of such goods. Asia’s economy, such as that of China specifically, remained heavily reliant on the money from the Silk Road trade, without regard to the origin or type of goods that fueled such. Likewise, Europe’s economic status remained fueled by Asian trades.
While the goods being traded and the areas it all went to changed; the purpose did not. The Silk Road originally began on a small scale as a simple route of transport for Eurasian merchants. Eventually it grew into an international necessity, not only economically, but culturally also. Once the Europeans were revealed to the Asian spices, fabrics, etc., they became fond to their new found luxuries. That, additionally to Europe having the same effect on Asia, gradually shaped both cultures.
Goods were not the only interactions along the Silk Road. One of the major tragedies in the Eastern Hemisphere was the Bubonic Plague. The Plague originated from the Mongols and spread westward along the Silk Road. The Silk Road had many merchants from all over the continent so the spread of the disease was inevitable. The luxury goods that came from Asia were often carried long distances either by animal or by boat, either way aiding the transfer of the Plague.
The major religion of Islam also became strengthened by interactions along the Silk