COMPARING THE TRANS-SAHARAN & SILK ROAD TRADE

ROUTES

Essential Questions

How were the Trans-Saharan Trade and the Silk Road similar?

How were these trade routes different?

Similarities

► Both brought wealth and access to foreign products and enabled people to concentrate their efforts on economic activities best suited to their regions.

► The accumulation of wealth along both routes encouraged nomadic invasions.

► Both facilitated the spread of religious traditions beyond their original homelands.

The Silk Road

Where did the Silk Road go?

Linked China and the Holy Roman Empire The two extreme ends of Eurasia

There the road split into two main branches that went around the Taklamakan desert to the north and south

In northern Iran, the route joined with trade ports on the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf and proceeded to Palmyra (modern Syria) There it met roads coming from Arabia and

ports on the Red Sea The Silk Roads also provided access at ports like

Guangzhou in southern China that led to sea routes to India and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka)

The Silk Road

All of the 4 major religions spread through Silk Road…

Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam all spread along the silk road.

► Religion Indian merchants brought by Brahmin priests Buddhism was also popular amongst the trade

route Muslim scholars brought by Arab merchants Christian merchants brought by priests

The Trans-Saharan/Sand Road

► Began with Soninke Empire (Ghana) in the 5th century

Linked North Africa, the Mediterranean world, and West Africa

Was primarily conducted over land

Sahara Desert

• World’s largest desert

More important than the wheel…

Made possible by the CAMEL!

The pack camel was arguably the most important innovation to civilization since the wheel.

Came from North Africa to Arabia around 7th Century BCE.

Camel and the Silk & Saharan Trade

Camels were vital in both the Trans-Saharan and Silk Road trade routes.

The dromedary camel (1hump) was native of the Saharan region and the bactrian camel (2 hump) was native to the Eurasian steppe.

The bactrian was more bulky and suitable for extremely cold and dry climates in Iran and Central Asia.

Trans-Saharan Traders

1st traders = camel-owning people from desert oases

Major traders = North African Muslim Arabs

What did they come to West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa for? GOLD AND SLAVES in the South SALT in the North Salt

Mines

Gold Mines

Salt Mines

Gold Mines

Back

Caravans

As many as 5,000 camels

Hundreds of people Travelling at night Length of journey =

about 70 days 15-20 miles walked

per day

Construction of Empires

New wealth and resources from trans-Saharan trade allowed some regions to construct large empires or city-states

Between 500 and 1600 CE Major empires = Mali,

Ghana, and Songhai► Trading Language

Swahili: mix of Arabic, Indian, and Bantu (African)

Ghana 400-1200 CE

Ghana was called the “land of gold” but it did not have gold. Instead, the trade routes passed through Ghana and the kings of Ghana taxed all entering and exiting the kingdom.

The kingdom of Ghana emerged as early as 500 CE. It collapsed in the 11th century.

The kings of Ghana used their wealth to build a powerful army and keep the peace within their empire.

Muslims, invaded and destroyed Ghana in the 1100s but another West African kingdom rose to power to protect the valuable Salt for Gold Trade.

Cities Within the Kingdoms

Urban and commercial centers Traders met and

exchanged goods there Centers of

manufacturing Items created: beads,

iron tools, cotton textiles, etc.

Spread of Islam along the Tran-Saharan trade route.

Mosque in Timbuktu (in Mali)

Checking For Understanding

Provide at least 3 similarities and differences between the two trade routes.

Why is the assertion made that camels were the biggest advancement to civilization since the wheel?