Silk Roads Research Paper

Have you ever wondered what it was like to travel across the country to get what you want? The Silk Road was a treacherous journey that spanned from Asia all the way to Rome. People carried their countries goods in large caravans to exchange them with other people across the country. The Silk Road helped people get what they want by traveling there. The Silk Road took a huge part in history because it helped a number of cultures get closer to each other and share part of them, for example traditions and beliefs. The Silk Road was a difficult and dangerous trek, eventually traders found out the Silk Road increased the kingdom’s economy and the wealth of an individual. In addition, it spread culture, ideas and goods.

•    Discuss the changes and continuities in the Silk Road trading network from 600 BCE – 1450

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that extended from the Mediterranean to China. These trade routes nurtured the spread in religion, diseases, wealth, culture, and products. Buddhism became the dominant faith

Silk Roads - The Silk Roads were a network of trade routes, formally established during the Han Dynasty of China, which linked the regions of the ancient world in commerce.

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.

“The most significant commodity carried along this route was not silk, but religion. ” Buddhism, one of China’s largest religions was brought there from India via the Silk Road. This alone makes the Silk Road very significant because of the effect Buddhism has had on the world, especially China. Mingdi, a Han Emperor had a vision about Buddha and sent an official West to India. This official brought back two Buddhist Monks with him. From there Buddhism continually grew. The rise of Buddhism can be seen all along the Silk Road. With many different monasteries, statues, and artwork. Not only did the West have influences on China, China also had a huge influences on western civilizations.

The Silk Road was not a single road, it was an entire network of trade routes connecting China and many other countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. This network acquired its name from the beautiful, fine desired silk fabrics from China although it was not called the Silk Road till later in 1877 by Ferdinand von Richthofen. The Silk Road stenches 4000 miles from China to Europe although the path stenches that far people almost never make the whole trip for the road had varying paths to stop on and hidden dangers. The Silk Road was a major accomplishment for ancient China because it allowed the spread of culture, technologies, goods and customs to the Middle East even as far as Egypt. The same was true for customs and traditions coming

The Silk Road which started in 200 BCE and ended it in 1450 CE has its own changes and continuities. Trade flourished between the Asian and Europe at the time and as time went on its sole purpose of trading expanded to many other purposes and affect not only the area it contacted. Although there were many continuities during the time but it has more significant changes that occurred and also impact the world.

The Silk Road was an intricate and evolving network of overland trade routes that linked China, India, and western Eurasia for centuries. The trade route was key to the diffusion and transportation of technology, goods, religions, and language throughout Asia, the Mediterranean, Africa and southern Europe. As the strongest link between major population centers in the largest landmass on earth, the Silk Road was one of the most important of all long-distance trade routes in human history.

Long before there were trains, ships and airplanes to transport goods from one place to another, there was the Silk Road. Beginning in the sixth century, this route was formed and thus began the first major trade system. Although the term “Silk Road” would lead one that it was on road, this term actually refers to a number of different routes that covered a vast amount of land and were traveled by many different people. Along with silk, large varieties of goods were traded and traveled along this route both going to and from China. Material goods were not the only thing that passed along this path, but many religions were brought into China via the Silk Road. These topics will be discussed in detail in this paper.

Susan Whitfield writes Life along the Silk Road based on character stories occurring between the eight and tenth century, all living at different times. She writes this history for several reasons. First, she writes it to change the negative perception of the history of Central Asia that we know through the annals of its neighbors. By explaining the history of the region through the eyes of its own occupants, it rids the history of any distorted views from neighboring civilizations. She uses the comparison of trying to examine the life of the Atlantic Ocean by studying the ecology of Europe. Another perception Whitfield attempts to overcome is that of the present day Silk Road. Today, it is largely Islam, and it is occupied by Turkic

The Silk Road was different roads and routes that made up a big trading network.Reason #1, to say is that over centuries the Silk road spread a lot of goods and ideas . It says in document A that goods and ideas spread across the Silk Road for centuries.Some evidence to support my reason is like silk, iron, bronze and many more from China. Then some from Central Asia is like the Ferghana Horse. Then from Africa such as ivory, and rhinoceros horn. To almost say from India spices, and Buddhism. Finally from Europe, music and glassware.My second reason is that they used a camel to carry their large loads and they only needed a little bit of water.It says in the article called The Silk Road it says that they owe an important part of it’s success

The Silk Road Routes was a route that was established in order to increase trade of silk, paper, and other goods across China, India, and Central East Asia. Many merchants, missionaries, and travellers have used this road for traveling and trading from one end to another. Whilst the trade and travel, there was a multicultural transmission between China and India. As there was the trade with goods, there were transferrals of philosophies, beliefs, art, and culture through the Silk Road. Buddhism, which is a major religion that originated from India, became a big impact on those who crossed paths with Buddhist monks or those who practiced Buddhism from India. China was particularly impacted by this cultural transmission. Buddhism had influenced and even replaced major belief systems that already existed in China, through this, it even helped promote new forms of social and political thought, ideologies and even harmony among the belief systems in China. Although the establishment of the Silk Road routes was known for trade among China, India and Central Asia, it also became an aid for opening multicultural transmission of philosophy and beliefs between India and China, particularly the introduction and growth of Buddhism in China.

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 era of third-wave civilizations, major migrations, communication and exchange networks occured and flourished. However, there are advantages and disadvantages that go along with it. The Silk Roads flourished as it was major trade-routes across Eurasia where luxury goods such as silk was traded. However, the communication across the trade route resulted in diseases spreading and many deaths. “ Smallpox and measles devastated the populations of both empires, contributing to their political collapse”(323) The Silk Road connected the Roman Empire to the Han Dynasty, however with the communication of the two empires, the disease traveled with them along with the deaths of others. This environmental disadvantage was caused by the