The Silk Road was a network of routes stretching over 4,000 miles from China to the Mediterranean Sea. These trade routes were initiated during the Western Han Dynasty when Emperor Wu sent an army official Zhang Qian to negotiate an alliance with the Yuezhi people, located near Bactria and India. Since this was far away from China, Qian was able to be interact with people from many different cultures. Through this, he was able to establish a stronger connection with the Western world, and bring useful goods and idea, such as a successful horse breeding program. Due to the success from this, these networks were established by the emperor and were open for trade by 130 BCE.
On these trade routes, many new ideas and goods were spread from the Far East to the West. For instance, the Chinese were able to obtain goods such as gold, glass products, horses, and spices in exchange for items such as silk, tea, and jade. Making silk was a very specific process that the Chinese kept secret for as long as possible, as trading it was very profitable . The trading that occurred between various nations also spread many ideas, like how Buddhism was able to enter China from India and become one of its major religions. Moreover, trading on via the Silk Road not only caused a huge cultural fusion, but it also brought new-found wealth to many nations.
-Victoria Park
On these trade routes, many new ideas and goods were spread from the Far East to the West. For instance, the Chinese were able to obtain goods such as gold, glass products, horses, and spices in exchange for items such as silk, tea, and jade. Making silk was a very specific process that the Chinese kept secret for as long as possible, as trading it was very profitable . The trading that occurred between various nations also spread many ideas, like how Buddhism was able to enter China from India and become one of its major religions. Moreover, trading on via the Silk Road not only caused a huge cultural fusion, but it also brought new-found wealth to many nations.
-Victoria Park