CONTENT STATEMENT
- Empires in Africa and Asia grew as commercial and cultural centers along trade routes.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Trade was central to the economic and cultural development of African kingdoms, such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Their wealth was primarily from the gold they mined, which attracted traders from Europe and the Middle East. These traders brought goods (e.g., salt, tools, cloth) and introduced Islam to the West African empires. Timbuktu became a leading commercial and cultural setting. It attracted scholars from many places due to its long and rich history of learning in religion, mathematics, music, law and literature.
Important commercial and cultural centers also developed in Asia. The Byzantine empire flourished when it held the seat of the eastern Roman Empire and continued as an important trade center along the Silk Road. At its height, the Ottoman Empire encompassed much of North Africa, the Middle East and parts of eastern Europe.
The strong empire of the Mughals in northern India enabled art, architecture and culture to flourish. The Khyber Pass served as an important trade route.
China’s great commercial and cultural centers grew as a result of its link to the western world through the Silk Road where culture and goods were exchanged.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Describe how empires in Africa and Asia grew as commercial and cultural centers along trade routes.