Chapter 7 World's Collide

Between the years 500 and 1500, we see that the Eastern and Western hemisphere consistently interact with each other. At this point the world was moving into the modern age. As large civilizations crumbled, small city states took their place, new civilizations emerged and cultural borrowing and influences were found all over the world.  What made the third-wave civilizations distinct was their culture, as well as the specialization economic roles, sharp class and gender inequalities. Out of all the cultures, the largest, most expansive, and most widely influential was Islam which expanded from Spain, Northern Africa, to India. On every continent besides the North and South poles were multiple, local cosmopolitan regions sprang up were trade and migration brought people from different backgrounds, and these were even considered "mini globalizations". Those who controlled trade often became extremely wealthy which excited and made others envy who didn't. Many people learned about new products along with technologies via trade routes. Also, large nations began to incorporate many cultures to create a political system and because of their size and stability was able to provide security that encouraged travelers and traders to journey far distances. Since this part of history focuses on cross cultural relationships and traveling, merchants, missionaries, migrants, soldiers and administrations were a crucial part of shaping world history at this time.

There were three major trade routes that effected the majority of the world: Silk, Sea and Sand Roads.  The Silk Roads was a route that went as far west as Europe and east to China and went up to Turkenstan then south into west coast of India. People who traveled on these roads went by camel caravan and horse. There wasn't a particular start and end point so goods and people traveled all sorts of directions. Silk and dye came from China, medicine and herbs came from India, livestock from the Middle East, fruits and nuts from Siberia and disease from Europe. Almost of these goods were small and were purchased by the wealthy. The Sand Roads were of course more a route than an actual road. The people who traveled across the Sand route used the stars and astrology to navigate. Goods such as animals, their hides, slaves, gold, precious stones and salt were traded along this path. Like the Silk road, people traveled by camel. Also, instead of stopping at major cosmopolitan areas, travelers would make stop in towns or villages. The Sand Roads paths were found in Africa in present-day Arab states. Lastly, the Sea Route expanded from the East African to China and people made stops on islands south of the mainland on boats and ships. Tangible goods like textiles, pepper, sugar and wheat were being traded. Lots of goods were able to be traded because ships were so huge and people who owned these ships were able to make a lot of money. It was the world's largest sea-based system. Luxury goods such as ivory and gold came from East Africa, while porcelain came from China. Both luxury and everyday goods were traded all along the Sea Route.