Trade Routes and Cultural Exchange Flashcards
Grade 6 · Social Studies · Flashcards
Key vocabulary and concepts related to ancient trade networks and the spread of culture.
Flashcards
- Silk Road
- Ancient overland trade network (c. 130 BCE–1450s CE) connecting China to the Mediterranean; carried goods and spread ideas.
- Indian Ocean Trade Network
- Sea trade network connecting East Africa, Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia; relied on monsoon winds.
- Trans-Saharan Trade Routes
- Overland routes crossing the Sahara Desert; linked West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean.
- Cultural Diffusion
- The spread of cultural elements — religion, language, technology, art — from one society to another through contact.
- Monsoon
- Seasonal wind patterns in the Indian Ocean that made predictable sea travel possible for ancient traders.
- Caravan
- A group of travelers and traders with pack animals crossing deserts or long overland routes together.
- Gold-Salt Trade
- Key Trans-Saharan exchange: West Africa exported gold; North Africa exported salt, which was essential for food preservation.
- Mali Empire
- West African empire that grew wealthy controlling gold and salt trade; home of the wealthy ruler Mansa Musa.
- Spice Trade
- Trade in high-value spices (pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg) from Asia; drove much of the Indian Ocean trade.
- Mansa Musa
- Ruler of the Mali Empire who was one of the wealthiest people in history; made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324.
- Diffusion of Religion
- Process by which religions like Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam spread along trade routes into new regions.
- Tributary System
- System in which smaller states acknowledge the power of a larger empire by sending gifts or goods, used notably by China.
- Maritime Trade
- Trade conducted over the sea using ships; central to the Indian Ocean and later European trade networks.
Get a personalized course on Trade Routes and Cultural Exchange built around your child.