Trade Between Africa and Eurasia Changed During the Era of 300-1450

“No nation was ever ruined by trade.” This quote was said by Benjamin Franklin in the late 1700s. These words are so simple, and it seems like anyone could have said them. However, this quote has a bigger meaning in that throughout world history, trade has been so important to so many countries and it has led to many empires successes. It has occurred for a very long time, and it has progressed dramatically. Trade has changed a lot, but some parts of trade stayed the same over a long periods of time. In the era between 300 CE and 1450 CE, trade between Eurasia and Africa changed because the empires and kingdoms in power were replaced and their control over trade differed;

Africa’s trade networks experienced many continuities, in their culture, and changes, in their trade economics, from 1000 C.E. to 1750 C.E.

Trans-Saharan Trade: Commercial links were established between 4th and 5th century. It made a lot of states in both regions to be very rich. It also played an important role on the spread of Islam from North America to West America.

During the time period 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E., trade networks were relied upon to transfer goods, ideas, and services. Both the Trans-Saharan and Silk Road trade routes depended on animals, luxury goods, and economic growth. However, the trade routes differed in animals, types of luxury goods, and success of economic growth.

What other trading systems existed at the beginning of the period? The Indian Ocean system is a continuity, not a change.What about the gold-salt trade? Don't you mean the Pax Mongolica?

Once Africa got involved with the major trading centers, trade improved and they were able

From 600 to 1450 CE, trade thrived through the Indian Ocean trade routes. Large and powerful states provided security for merchants and travelers, allowing them to follow these routes with ease. While the spread of goods and ideas along the Indian Ocean trade routes remained constant, the states controlling them changed, leading to the creation of new states and the addition of European participation in this network.

Increased trade with China and the middle east impacted medieval society because the middle east used to be less popular but now since China trades with them the China people start living in their areas. “Although isolated at first, became more connected to the established global trade along the silk roads” (Doc.4). This states that more people came into their town to trade. They were isolated at first but now they are more populous. This impacted the economy of medieval

Trade was very important to the economy of the Ancient African Empires. The African Empires traded with other nations. The would take goods from Western and Central Africa and send them on the trade routes to Europe, India and the Middle East.

Many thousands of years ago, upon the earliest creations of civilization, there were two thriving civilizations. Both of which knew little to nothing about each other’s existence. In this ancient world, there was no connection of the two civilizations, no trade in commerce or culture. It was not until the second century BC that Europe and Eastern Asia interacted in a significant way. What is known as “The Silk Road” was established during the Han Dynasty of China, it was a network of trade routes that created a link between these two regions during this ancient world (ancient.eu). Though these routes have history prior to the Han Dynasty, this is when many historians see the routes in full practice. This time during the second century BC was crucial in the connection of these separately thriving civilizations, connecting them through commerce, religion, and exploration.

In the African continent, they developed an economic relationship with the European nation. There was clear signs that European needed connections. Prior to their relationship, african rulers had established trade links with the Mediterranean world, Western Asia, and Indian Ocean region. The expansion provided Europeans goods that included, cloth, iron, copper, jewelry, beads, and more. In exchange, Europeans return with textiles, carving, spices. The main trade however was

From 600-1450, trade occurred between multiple empires allowing for empires to exchange items, knowledge about different religions/cultures, different art styles, literature which allowed people to share expierences and feel connected to eachother. Due to, post-classical trade, literacy, art/architecture and cultural traditions were shared among diverse populations.

Over the last 200 years, the growth of trade and business were a deciding factor that defines the modern days. As trade and business grew, new ideas, and goods were brought to Europe. Towns started to turn to cities, people started to become richer, and landowners were turning into urban nobles. However, trade didn’t start off as bright as it is currently. Before this era of cultural achievement, trade used to be unstable and dangerous across Europe. Before this age, dangerous events like the Black Death caused the deaths of many merchants, and the Medieval wars also created an unsafe environment for merchants to trade. Therefore, trade was strictly kept from progressing.

India traded ivory, pearls, and spices. Rome traded glassware and gold. Egypt and Persia traded perfume, carpets, and many cosmetic related items. Last but not least, Africa traded slaves, gold, and salt. All of these commodities were traded amongst each other.

Often this was disguised as the spread of Christianity but the result was always the same, resources were used to make the European country more powerful and wealthy. The success of the spread of Christianity was higher in some areas but lower in the Islamic realm. European nations searched for alternative trade routes after the Ottoman empire seized Constantinople. Trade with Africa began with goods and products but eventually mainly for slaves. European nations were able to overcome no access to the eastern Mediterranean and dominate the land-sea trade, as they expanded the Islamic realms declined.