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How Did Trade Networks Affect Europe

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Trade Networks
Trade networks were a vital part of the political, economical, and cultural developments of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and China. A trade route is a network used to transport goods to other countries. Trade networks made a huge impact on the political, economical, and cultural developments in China, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe.
The Chinese were greatly influenced because of trade. Marco Polo was a political influence because of trade. He left Venice, and crossed Persia and Central Asia to reach China. He then spent seventeen years in the emperor's service. Finally Marco Polo returned home and wrote an account of the splendor and wealth of China, which would not become popular until the printing press invention. …show more content…

One political influence was the spread of Christianity. Differences had emerged in time over church leadership. The Byzantine Christians rejected the pope’s claim of authority over all Christians. During the Middle Ages the two branches, the Roman Church and the Byzantine church, drifted apart. In 1054 the Great Schism occurred, separating the Byzantine church, which became known as the Eastern, or Greek Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. Europe also had many economical impacts. One extremely vital impact on Europe was the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time of creativity and great change. It marked the shift to an urban society in which trade had a huge effect. During the Renaissance new technology and ideas were being traded. Because of Italy’s location on the Mediterranean Sea trade was encouraged with the Muslim world. Italian merchants led the growth of trade across Europe. Trade also provided the wealth that fueled the Renaissance. There were many cultural influences in Europe, one influence was from the Roman empire. At the center of the city, Byzantine emperors and empresses lived in splendor. They dressed in extravagant silk and attended chariot races at the Hippodrome arena. The arena was a reminder of Roman heritage. As the heir to Roam it blended ancient Greek, Roman, and Christian influences with other customs of the Mediterranean world. Because of all these influences

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