The Silk Roads

The Silk Roads During the Han dynasty, only the Chinese knew

how to make silk. Desired luxury item Roads linking China to Eurasian were built to

trade silk One of the first global trading networks

Trade on the Silk Road Cities sprouted up around the trail. Goods leaving China: silk, paper, jade, pottery Goods coming to China: sesame seeds, oil,

metals, precious stones, Central Asian horses

Silk Road Affects Culture

Silk Roads also brought ideas and customs to and from China (cultural diffusion)

During the Han dynasty, Buddhist missionaries from India brought Buddhism to China

Buddhism gained many followers after the fall of the Han. Why?