Posted: April 13th, 2023

Change and Continutie

Between 500 CE and 1500CE changes and continuities in interregional commerce in the Eurasian World occurred. The Silk Road connected South Asia, Western Asia, and South Asia with Europe. The “road” was used for trading good such as silk, porcelain, and other luxuries. Not only was it used for trading material goods, but it was also used for trading religions, skills, and knowledge. It also passed along diseases. Some changes that occurred were that classical empires collapsing and new empires began to rise, and trade in the Indian Ocean became more regulated in 1500CE than before in 1400CE.
A continuity that occurred was the Indian Ocean trade remained unregulated from 700CE through 1400CE. Due to the collapse of the classical empires in 500CE and the rise of the Byzantine, Abbasid, and Tang Empires in 700CE, trade declined then grew. When the classical empires collapsed, trade declined because due to the lack of government following the decline of the classical empires, protection could not be granted for trade and trade routes could not be repaired. Due to these reasons, trade and travel became dangerous.
When the Byzantine, Abbasid, and Tang empires began to rise, trade grew again because Tang rulers set up military garrisons to protect the trade done through the Silk Road, the Byzantine empire’s central location on the Mediterranean Sea allowed trade to flourish, especially in the capital of Constantinople, and in the Abbasid empire Muslim merchants spread improved irrigation in the region, which led to increases in food production and population. Because of the three empires rising, trade was able to be successful again after the fall of the classical empires.

During the years of 700CE through 1400CE a continuity of unregulated Indian Ocean trade continued in Eurasian trade. The Indian Ocean represented the world’s largest sea-based system of communication and exchange. The alternating wind currents that blew predictably eastward during the summer months and westward during the winter months (monsoons) was what made the Indian Ocean commerce possible. Because the Indian trade route was so successful and many people depending on it, it continued to remain unregulated from 700CE through 1400CE.
Another reason for it continuing to remain unregulated was because cities located strategically grew and it was a safe environment for markets, it welcomed all merchants, and charged reasonable fees. Although it remained unregulated from 700CE through 1400CE, that all changed by 1500CE. From the unregulated Indian Ocean trade in the 1400’s, trade became more controlled by the Chinese and the Europeans by the 1500’s. To gain control over the Indian Ocean trade Europeans captured the port cities, wrecked them, stole from them, and burned them to the ground, killing the residents of the cities.
Because people from other countries traded as well and they brought their culture, religions, and other values and beliefs that fascinated the people who lived along the Indian Ocean regions, a lot of people were affected. The Indian Ocean became controlled by the Chinese and the Europeans. In the same way as the Silk Road was used for trade and commerce and was successful the Indian Ocean was also used for trade and commerce. However, the silk route is widely interconnected trade route across Asian continent connecting East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, as well as North and Northeast Africa and Europe.
In Indian Ocean routes majorly connecting Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. In conclusion, during the time period of 500CE through 1500CE Some changes that occurred were that classical empires collapsing and new empires began to rise, and trade in the Indian Ocean became more regulated in 1500CE than before in 1400CE. A continuity that occurred was the Indian Ocean trade remained unregulated from 700CE through 1400CE. Both the silk road and the Indian ocean were used for commerce and trade.