Cultural Consequences of Connectivity

Objective:

• We will be able to analyze the intellectual and cultural effects of trade networks from 1200 to 1450 by examining the spread of religion, technology, and the accounts of travelers.

AP World History Theme:

• Theme 1: Humans and the Environment (ENV)

  • How did the environment and disease shape human events?

Historical Thinking Skill:

• Continuity and Change

  • We will identify what stayed the same and what changed as a result of growing global connections.

Key Term Definitions

Black Death: A devastating pandemic of plague that spread across Afro-Eurasia in the 14th century. It was facilitated by trade routes and led to the deaths of tens of millions of people, causing massive social and economic change.

Swahili A language that developed in East Africa as a result of cultural blending. It is a Bantu language with a significant number of loanwords from Arabic, showing the deep influence of Indian Ocean trade.

Marco Polo: A Venetian merchant whose written account of his travels to China under the Mongol Empire gave Europeans detailed knowledge of Asian societies, cultures, and wealth.

Ibn Battuta: A Muslim scholar from Morocco who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world. His writings provide a detailed view of the diverse societies, religious practices, and intellectual life of the 14th century.

Key Term Definitions

Astrolabe A navigational instrument, improved by Muslim scholars, that allowed sailors to determine their latitude at sea by measuring the position of the sun or stars. This technology was critical for long-distance ocean travel.
Hangzhou A major Chinese city that, during this period, was a colossal urban center and a hub of trade and industry. It was famously described by Marco Polo as a place of immense wealth and sophistication, astounding European readers.

• "Goods, people, and ideas traveled with relative freedom..." → I'll highlight this and write [Main Idea] in the margin. This is the core of what we're studying.

• "stability of the Mongol Empire..." → I'll mark this with a [C] for Cause. It's a reason why trade increased.

• "Technological developments... were diffused by trade." → I'll mark this with an [E] for Effect. This is a result of the trade networks.

Your job when you read is to do the same!

Independent Reading & Notes

Your Task:

1. Read the rest of the text, "Cultural Consequences of Connectivity."

2. Annotate as you read. Look for:

   • [C] = Cause of connectivity or cultural change

   • [E] = Effect of connectivity (e.g., spread of religion, technology, disease)

   • [?] = Something you have a question about

3. Fill in your Cornell Notes using your annotations.

Partner Check

Your Task:

1. With your shoulder partner, compare your notes for 3 minutes.

   Be ready to answer these Check for Understanding questions: