Mongolian Trade Overview
The Mongol Dynasty (1206-1368) is when trade in Eurasia prospered. Before the Mongol Empire was formed there were only warring Mongol clans, but one leader Genghis Khan (Universal Ruler) united them and made them into a fierce fighting force. They conquered civilization after civilization using their superior battle strategics, and with every civilization they conquered their army grew. When they were done conquering their empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe. When the Mongol empire was created it unified the surrounding warring states diversified trade, made it safer, and made it better for artisans and merchants.
Traded Goods
The Mongols traded silken rope, cushions, blankets, robes, rugs, wall hangings, porcelain, iron kettles, armor, perfumes, jewelry, wine, honey, medicines, bronze, silver, gold, gunpowder, coal, and other precious goods.
Expansion of Trade
Due to the creation of the Mongol Empire trade diversified. During the Mongol empire the silk road was able to be reopened because of the peace, it allowed for fast trade routes for merchants and traders. The tales of Marco's rich filed travels sparked interest in the European people and increased international trade. There became a high demand for Asian goods like tea, textiles, and porcelain.
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Safer Trade
When the Mongol Empire was formed war between many countries ceased, which meant safer trade routes. The Mongol Empire created the Pax Mongolica or Mongol Peace this was extremely helpful in the endeavor for peace. According to a contemporary, it meant people “enjoyed such a peace that a man might have journeyed from the land of sunrise to the land of sunset with a golden platter upon his head without suffering the least violence from anyone.” This may have been due to the extreme punishments used for the smallest of crimes. Before the Pax Mongolica merchants used to be forced to hire a number of armed personnel to protect their goods, but after it was unnecessary allowing them to lower the cost of their goods. This further encouraged trade and made Eurasia prosper.
Merchants and Artisans
The creation of the Mongolian empire made merchants and artisans more valuable, than in past dynasties. During the Song dynasty Confucianists viewed merchants as leeches, because they profited off the goods made by others, not themselves and put them in a lower social class. In the Mongol dynasty they changed they idea, the Mongols knew the importance of merchants and trade. So the Mongolian Empire created the Orthogh, or merchant association that helped merchants in long-distance trade. Before the association if a merchant had lost one of good stocked caravans he could loose his business, but when the association was established that lost would have been distributed as would the profit. Trade stops were also created, these had food, horses, lodging, and other supplies to help merchants on their journey. These posts also helped mail runners go faster because they were able to go from one station to the next and get horse and new equipment or to pass the message or package to the next runner by showing an official badge. Also because of the Pax Mongolica, the runners could run faster because they did not have to take their weapons with them for self defense. The Mongolian empire further helped merchants and artisans by increasing the amount of paper money in circulation and by lowering tariffs. The outcome was an increase of trade across Eurasia.
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"The Pax Mongolica « Humanities II – World History." 2012. 19 Nov. 2014 <http://world-history.nmhblogs.org/2012/10/21/the-pax-mongolica/> "World History Connected | Vol. 5 No. 2 | Timothy May: The ..." 2009. 7 Nov. 2014 <http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/5.2/may.html> Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor., and Anthony Esler. World History. N.p.: Prentice Hall, n.d. Print "Genghis Khan and the Great Mongol Empire - Macrohistory." 10 Nov. 2014 <http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h11mon.htm> |