Networks of Exchange (1200-1450)

The widespread conversion to Islam due to increased contact with Muslim merchants.

The establishment of a matrilineal social structure as a result of matriarchal European influences.

The introduction and adoption of European livestock and crops, altering diets and agricultural practices.

A decline in traditional animist beliefs solely because of direct exposure to Asian philosophies through trade.

The Ming Dynasty would fall earlier than it actually did.

The Chinese economy would collapse due to overexpenditure on expeditions.

Japan might have become a dominant global power instead of China.

China might have established colonies before Europe, altering global power dynamics.

It caused a decrease in urban population as people migrated to rural areas for paper production jobs.

It reduced the significance of trade as books became more valuable than spices and silk.

It facilitated the spread of ideas and increased literacy rates.

It led to a decline in religious influence by reducing church control over knowledge.

Books being printed

Religions never spread in period 2

Word of mouth across generations

Trade

Margery Kempe

Ibn Battuta

Marco Polo

Zheng He

African kin-based society

European feudalism

Chinese aristocracy

Japanese feudalism

Expansion of sericulture within China to pay for foreign silver imports.

Development of sophisticated banking systems in Europe exclusively for silver transactions.

Direct naval exploration endeavors funded by Ming Dynasty treasure fleets.

Increased mining operations in South America under Spanish colonial rule.

Missionary efforts that only focused on religious conversion without concern for linguistic or cultural assimilation into Spanish ways.

The colonization by Spain, which imposed Spanish as the lingua franca and administrative language across its vast territories.

Increased trade between South American regions and Spain alone, leading to the voluntary adoption of Spanish for better commercial exchange opportunities.

The unilateral decision by native tribe leaders who chose to adopt Spanish in order to better resist European encroachments on indigenous territories.

They syncretized Buddhist practices with existing local traditions facilitating acceptance among various social classes.

Advent of papermaking in China reduced costs of Buddhist scripture distribution thus hastening widespread adoption.

Rulers enforced Buddhism as state religion throughout East Asia following initial contact via Silk Roads resulting uniform conversion rates across regions.

The decline of Confucian values post Han Dynasty left a spiritual void filled exclusively by Buddhist teachings.

Decreased reliance on meat due to new protein-rich American plants reduced hunting practices.

Greater sugar consumption from American plantations led to immediate widespread obesity levels.

Introduction of new staple crops like potatoes and maize allowed for diversification of agriculture.

Increased spice usage from American herbs decreased imports from Asia significantly changing diets.