What were some common trade routes before the 16th century?

Think about different trading networks in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries. Before the integration of the Americas into the world economy, Europeans
traded with Africa and Asia. With the “discovery” of the New World, Europeans also began to
trade with the Americas, giving rise to what we know today as the “Columbian Exchange.” What
were some common trade routes before the 16th century? How did trade networks work before
and after 1500s? How were they different from one another? How did the Columbian Exchange
influence different parts of the world namely, the Americas, Europe, and Africa? (See Chapters
12 and 13).
B. Imperial wealth and court traditions shaped cultural trends in Asian empires and Europe from
1500s to 1700s. Consider the developments in imperial monumental art, bureaucracy, sciences,
and religion across the world during this period. Can you explain the ways in which imperial
wealth impacted the bureaucracy, monumental art (and cultures of splendor), and trade of
empires around the world? Please remember, you have to be able to discuss the significance of
concepts, places, and monumental architectures from a historical perspective. How did the
emerging world economy impact these societies in the 17th and 18th centuries? (See Chapter 14).
C. Think about the social and political revolutions that occurred in the Atlantic world between 1750
and 1850. Think about the global impacts of the “New Ideas” of the Enlightenment on sociopolitical currents around the world. Compare and contrast the French, American, and Haitian
revolutions. How did each come about? What types of changes were established in each society?
Pay attention to notions such as popular sovereignty, free trade, and social contract when
describing each revolution. Were these inclusive revolutionary movements? Which groups were
excluded? (See Chapter 14 and 15).
D. Think about the relationship between industrious revolution, urbanization, and industrial
revolution. How did industrializing societies change in the 18th century? What impact did
industrious and industrial revolution have on families, gender roles, etc. in Europe? How did
European industrialization impact trade and wealth in other parts of the world? What kinds of
reaction did industrialization and European encroachment on weaker societies induce in different
societies? In other words, what were some of the alternative visions that emerged during this
period, envisioning different futures? (See Chapters 15 and 16).
E. The global order changed in the 19th century, as many societies started to respond to the changes
that were taking place as a result of industrialization and emerging industrial capitalism. How did
people around the world respond to the major changes of this new world order? How did people
in Asia respond to the new global order, and how did people in Europe react to the changes?
Some of the topics you need to consider are the Chinese Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion,
Indian Rebellion of 1857, Tokugawa Shogunate’s reaction to European trade, liberalism,
socialism, and Marxism among others