AROUND THE AP WORLD DAY 68: CULTURAL/ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Consequences of Networks of Exchange in AP World History
Overview of the Post-Classical Period (1200-1450)
- The session concludes the exploration of the post-classical period, focusing on environmental and cultural consequences of exchange networks.
- The College Board emphasizes these consequences as separate sections, although they may have been covered previously in earlier units.
Cultural Consequences
- Increased cross-cultural interactions led to the diffusion of literary, artistic, and cultural traditions alongside scientific and technical innovations. Notable travelers are mentioned by name here.
- The spread of religions along trade routes is highlighted as a significant aspect of cultural exchange during this period.
- A list of important trade cities is provided for better understanding:
- Timbuktu: Malian capital on the trans-Saharan trade route.
- Venice: Italian city-state serving as Europe's entry point.
- Cairo: Capital of the Mamluk Sultanate and an intellectual hub after Baghdad's fall in 1258.
- Kashgar and Samarkand: Key cities along the Silk Road.
- Beijing: Capital of China from this point forward.
- Delhi: Heart of India, later becoming part of the Mughal Empire.
- Malacca: Center of its namesake trading sultanate in Southeast Asia.
Environmental Consequences
- Environmental impacts are summarized briefly; there was a continued diffusion of crops and pathogens, including epidemic diseases like bubonic plague along trade routes. This section is notably short compared to cultural consequences.
- Specific crops mentioned include sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits that traveled through these networks, illustrating their global impact on agriculture and health.