Asian+Transitions+in+an+Age+of+Global+Change

Notes on pg. 484-491

The Asian Trading World and the Coming of the Europeans: · Huge trading coast was established from Middle East & Africa to the coasts of the Asian continent · Asian sea trading network – broken down into 3 main zones; è West = Arab, glass, carpets, & tapestries è Central = India, cotton textiles è East = China, paper, porcelain & silk textiles · Japan, east Africa were mainly raw materials - metals, foods, & forest products · Highest $$$ paid for spices coming from Ceylon & islands of Indonesia · Seas & oceans were dangerous for trading b/c of natural disasters, so much trading was along the coast and coastal sailing · Arabs & Chinese could go across oceans, b/c they had compasses and large well, built ships, but preferred coastal routes · No central control for trading; military absent from trading; · Trades were largely peaceful b/c they all wanted something from one another; vessels were armed w/ some weapons to protect against pirates

Trading Empire: The Portuguese Response to the Encounter at Calicut: · Portuguese did not have much to offer besides silver & gold; Also did not want to abide by informal rules of trading & a nation’s value was on what they had, so the Portuguese took what they could by force (from Asia) · Portuguese thought they could take by force, b/c nobody would mess with their superior ships & weaponry, even though they lacked numbers · Asian competitors couldn’t put armies together & cooperate, so the Portuguese took advantage of that and defeated the Asians, Indians, & Egyptians; Port, never had to worry about the Asians again

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· Italian Jesuit, Robert di Nobili, created a plan to learn the ways of the Hindus to then become close w/ them and convert them, but then soon realized it was impossible b/c they wouldn’t bother with any meat eaters or anybody that did not understand Hindu sacred texts =====