This is going to be a challenge for you, Oliver. This will be interesting for you to learn about the history of the Silk Roads. Here's the reason:
1. "Silk Road trading networks prospered most when large and powerful states provided security for merchants and travelers" (Strayer, 284).
2. "In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Mongol Empire briefly encompassed almost the entire route of the Silk Roads in a single state, giving a renewed vitality to long-distance trade" (Strayer, 285).
3. "Over many centuries, various technological innovations, such as yokes, saddles, and stirrups, made the use of camels, horses, and oxen more effective means of transportation across the vast distances of the Silk Roads" (Strayer, 285).
These three quotes are most important for you to learn about the historical change of the Silk Roads. Therefore, you can learn more about how the Silk Roads are forming, such as the second-wave civilizations under the construction in the continent of Eurasia during the last five centuries B.C.E.
I believe the relationship between China and Europe will be the best route of Eurasian connection.
I don't know if this is over, but I was already challenged and was challenged by another student. Also I think the assignment was about China being relevant to the Renaissance compared to Europe. But yes the Silk Roads were very important especially in the aspect of trade. China didn't open up their trade to Europeans until the acceptance of Marco Polo who saw the genius innovations that was coming from China that they wanted to get a hold of it through trade during the Yuan Dynasty to increase demand of Chinese goods to Europe, so China sparked the Renaissance but it was the Europeans that molded it and continued to innovate what they got from China to create such inventions such as: microscope, paperback books, telescope, astrolabe, art, and articulated architecture design of their buildings were magnificent.
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