The Natural Features of the Silk Road - Essay Example

The trans-ecological exchanges made possible by the Silk Road routes contributed greatly to the growth of trade within the Afro-Eurasian region, specifically, trade between the region’s agrarian communities, steppe pastoralists, and woodland foragers.

The natural features of the Silk Road indicate that environmental factors played a great role in intensifying trade along the Silk Road. For one, the Silk Roads cross the borders of desert areas or barren steppes inhabited by pastoralists. These kinds of ecological borders create the necessity for trade because the essential goods needed by the people living in very different environments are also different. In fact, given these ecological factors, it would be astonishing if trade did not flourish along the Silk Road. The products traded along the Silk Road routes prove how dynamic trade was in the Afro-Eurasian region. Many of the products traded came from the woodland or steppe land, whilst several of the products made by the agrarian communities were sold to the steppes.

David Christian emphasizes that the Silk Roads naturally are sea and land routes connecting east and west, particularly, connecting the agricultural communities of inner Asia and functioning as channels transporting products, ideas, religion, and even diseases. Moreover, Christian views Steppe Roads, which connect the Eurasian agricultural and grassland areas, as trade routes, stimulated by a natural commercial barter of goods from pastoral and agricultural regions. Trade products were perhaps bartered most intensely across the ecological boundary dividing agrarian and pastoral areas, although several products certainly crossed the steppes.
b) How would you evaluate the Chinese impact on the Silk Road and the trade along the Silk Road? Please refer to Xinru Liu’s chapter 1 “China looks West” on material trade.

The Silk Road linking China and the Middle East cultivated trade of agricultural products, specially made goods, ideas, and religious beliefs. But because of the dynamic evolution of civilizations in China, the Silk Road ceased to be merely a connecting link between cultures; it became a social system. The rise of dynasties and the growth of territories in China tempted traders to explore other possible trade routes for valuable products. Most of the time, the patrons were rich families and individuals. For instance, the stronger defense system for the Great Wall established by the Han dynasty attracted a large number of foreign traders to the Great Wall. This occurrence led to the flow of a larger number of extraordinary products, like woolen textiles, spices, Indian cotton fabric, and Roman glassware. However, material products were not the only items traded along the Silk Road. Because of China’s exploits, knowledge about foreign coinage systems, clothing, foods, and the climate became more available.

The general saw superb horses in the kingdoms he visited. The emperor wanted strong horses and so he raided the kingdoms. Silk merchants used the route the emperor had created and this route was eventually called the Silk Road. Vigorous trade began. Goods from the West, like perfume, glass, and gems flowed into China and other parts of inner Asia. Knowledge and invention were also exchanged along the Silk Road routes. The Chinese adopted Buddhism from India; the West found out the secret of making paper and agricultural equipment. This vigorous trade between the East and the West continued until the 14th century. Read More