How did the Silk Road reflect the effect of globalization?
1 Answer
The original free trade between the Mediterranean and China. It allowed not only commercial trading but cultural, religious and biological exchanges for over 1500 years.
Explanation:
It lasted from about 150 BCE to the rise of the Ottomans (with interruptions) and then advent of European ocean trading and exploration. It was a notable route for silks from china in exchange for many items along its length.
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and other religions spread along at various times. There is evidence the Black Death plague spread to Europe via the Silk road. Art works of precious metals, jade, gems and semi-precious stones were part of the exchange.
China valued the trade route and often had a large military force stationed into central Asia to guard against bandits. The old Persian Royal Road was an important connection with its caravansaries (protected rest areas). The route varied a great deal and sometimes include an ocean route through India.
An embargo on European trade by the Ottomans encouraged European ocean exploration to the Indian ocean and beyond. Marco Polo's story fired the imagination of Columbus and others.
