Silk Road
A network of trade routes connecting the East and West
Real World Example
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected Asia with Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. It was crucial for the new empires in Asia because it allowed them to trade valuable commodities like silk, spices, and precious metals, boosting their economies and expanding their influence. This trade network also helped spread inventions, religions, and philosophies, promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Today, the concept of the Silk Road still matters because it highlights the importance of global trade and cultural exchange in our interconnected world. For example, when you buy a t-shirt made in another country, you're participating in modern global trade networks, echoing the ancient exchanges of the Silk Road.
