Jonathan Hagerman

AP World
Indian Ocean Trade Network CCOT
Trade networks have connected cultures throughout the earth across the ages. The Indian Ocean
trade network, the largest of its time, underwent many changes between 2000 BCE and 1450 CE, but
much remain the same. The Indian Ocean trade network of 2000 BCE to 1450 CE was used by many
different empires throughout its existence, each using diverse technologies, had a strong cultural influence
on its participants, and was widely used even more so than the Silk Road.
At the roots of the Indian Ocean trade network, one can find a trade relationship between
Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley civilization, Sumeria, Oman, and islands in the Persian Gulf. Though the
trade halted for a period of time in these regions, these humble beginnings were only a small part of the
network which would eventually span three continents. Arabia, Persia, India, Greece, Rome, China,
southeast Asia, and East Africa all had roles to play in this massive connection. The technologies used by
the nations involved in the trade varied greatly. In Asia, multiple masted ships, up to 16 times as long as
their Mediterranean counterparts, dominated the seas. The magnetic compass was developed in the time
of this network. Also, trade in Asia was enhanced and made safer by predictable monsoon winds. With
steady, safe trade, the Indian Ocean trade network attracted many participants.
The Indian Ocean trade network had varying degrees of cultural influence on those who traded
within it. On a smaller scale, different religions were promoted Islam, for example, had a more
accepting view of merchants. In stark contrast, Confucianism shunned merchants and traders.
Incidentally, China all but withdrew from the trade system in its later period. Southeast Asia and East
Africa, however, underwent great cultural change. With new wealth from the trade network, ambitious
leaders centralized and grew their empires. The Sirvja civilization, in modern day Indonesia, was
engendered by the trade network. This same network gave the Swahili culture great wealth, resulting in

Mansa Musas famous pilgrimage. Cultural change was great in this network if something promoted
trade, then it was promoted, and that trade promoted the societies involved.
The Indian Ocean trade network was hugely popular, for most of its existence being even more
widely used than the Silk Road. This popularity was understandable, and many factors contributed to it.
First, it was much cheaper to sail a ship than to drive a caravan. Ships could also carry much more than a
caravan, which finally opened products to a mass market, as opposed to the exclusivity of the trade of
luxury goods on the Silk Road. And finally, the Indian Ocean was much less dangerous than the Silk
Road. Although the Mongols, in the 13th and 14th centuries, made the Silk Road much safer, the Indian
Ocean trade network saw little violence and was secure throughout most of its existence. Remarkably, the
Indian Ocean trade network remained relatively peaceful in its existence. All these factors promoted a
popular trade network for its many years of use.
The Indian Ocean trade network, the largest of its time, underwent many changes throughout its
existence. It influenced many cultures, and was used by many empires. But ultimately, it remained a
peaceful and lucrative trade network until the emergence of the global trade that linked the world.