APWH Modern Chapter 2.3

The script begins with an introduction to the Indian Ocean trade networks, focusing on the causation question of what led to their growth after 1200 and how environmental knowledge supported this expansion. It highlights the importance of understanding the historical context, including the economic strength of China, the influence of Islam on trade, and the Mongol control of land routes. The script also emphasizes the relevance of modern shipping lanes, which were established centuries ago, and the globalization of trade during the 12th to 15th centuries.

This paragraph delves into the specifics of trade infrastructure, using the city of Calicut as an example of how trade cities facilitated commerce through ports, roads, and marketplaces. It discusses the demand for specialized products like cotton from India, spices from the Spice Islands, slaves and gold from East Africa, and silk from China. The script also touches on the East African slave trade and its roles, contrasting it with the transatlantic slave trade and noting the slightly better conditions for slaves in the East African context.

The script discusses the technological innovations that contributed to the growth of trade networks, such as the compass and astrolabe for navigation, and ship designs like the dao with its lateen sail and stern rudder for increased cargo capacity and maneuverability. It explains how these advancements allowed for more efficient and direct trade routes, thereby expanding the volume of trade and the geographical reach of existing networks.

This section examines the role of environmental factors and knowledge in the development of trade networks, such as the understanding of seasonal wind patterns that allowed for more efficient travel and trade. It also looks at the impact of states and cities along the trade routes, like the Swahili coast cities, the Gujarat kingdom, and the Sultanate of Malacca, which played crucial roles in organizing and facilitating trade, leading to their wealth and cultural influence.

The script explores the cultural effects of trade, particularly the formation of diasporic communities as people from regions like Arabia, Persia, China, and Malaysia moved and settled in new areas, bringing their traditions and intermarrying with local populations. This led to a diffusion of culture and the establishment of communities with shared religious and cultural practices, such as the spread of Islam through trade routes.

This paragraph focuses on the seven voyages of the Chinese Admiral Zheng He, who led a massive fleet across Southeast Asia, India, and East Africa, spreading Chinese culture and technology. The script contrasts the scale and technological superiority of Zheng He's fleet with that of Christopher Columbus's much later voyages. It also discusses the cultural diffusion resulting from these voyages, including the building of mosques and Chinese temples, and the introduction of navigational technologies like the compass and astrolabe.

The script concludes with a summary of the causes and effects of the Indian Ocean trade network's growth. It reiterates the importance of demand for products, the spread of Islam, technological advancements, and the role of cities and states in facilitating trade as key factors driving expansion. The effects include the establishment of diasporic communities and the cultural transfer through voyages like Zheng He's. The script wraps up by emphasizing the complexity of distinguishing between causes and effects in historical analysis and encourages students to consider multiple perspectives.