AP World History : Economic History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Bce To 600 Ce

How did the knowledge of silk production reach Europe?

Possible Answers:

Marco Polo brought silkworms back to Italy with him following his trip to China

Byzantine monks smuggled silkworms back from China

The Mongols brought silkworms to the Middle East following their rapid conquest of Eurasia

The British and French invaded China in the nineteenth century and brought silkworms with them back to Europe

The Chinese gifted silkworms to the Roman Empire in a show of solidarity and friendship

Correct answer:

Byzantine monks smuggled silkworms back from China

Explanation:

Silk production had long been a Chinese state secret when a small group of Byzantine monks smuggled silkworms back from China in the sixth century. This led to the breakdown of the Chinese monopoly and the further growth of the Byzantine Empire as the wealthiest in Europe.

Example Question #11 : Economic History

The Grand Canal, completed during the Sui dynasty, linked which of the following bodies of water?

Possible Answers:

The North China Sea and the Gulf of Liaodong

The Nile River and the Persian Gulf

The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea

The Yangzi and Huang He (Yellow River)

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Correct answer:

The Yangzi and Huang He (Yellow River)

Explanation:

The Grand Canal is the longest canal or artificial river in the world. It starts in Beijing and links the Yangze and the Huang He rivers. It was completed during the Sui dynasty (581-618 CE).

Example Question #6 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Bce To 600 Ce

Which of these statements about overland trade and transport in the classical era is incorrect?

Possible Answers:

None of these statements are incorrect.

Overland trade was subject to more political disruption that oceangoing trade.

Overland trade was possible in places without a reliable system of roads.

Overland trade was cheaper than oceangoing trade.

Overland trade was dependent on caravans of pack animals.

Correct answer:

None of these statements are incorrect.

Explanation:

All of these statements about overland trade and transport in the classical era are correct. Overland trade was typically cheaper than oceangoing trade, but it was more dangerous and much more likely to be subject to political disruption. Overland trade was primarily carried out by caravans of pack animals, like horses and camels. Although trade was more difficult in places without a reliable system of roads, it was hardly impossible.

Example Question #1 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Ce To 1450

Indian Ocean trade from 600 to 1450 resulted in all of the following except __________.

Possible Answers:

the increased wealth of Western European nations

the trade in labor, spices, horses, and other goods

the spread of Islam

the spread of Buddhism

the use of dhows in trade

Correct answer:

the increased wealth of Western European nations

Explanation:

This answer is correct because Western European nations like the British and the Dutch were not yet engaged in Indian Ocean trade in this period, and as a result showed no increase in wealth as a result of the Indian Ocean trade in the years mentioned.

Example Question #2 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Ce To 1450

During the Third Crusade, which Eastern Mediterranean island was conquered by Richard the Lionheart and served as one of the last bastions of Christendom in the East during the Crusades' decline?

Possible Answers:

Malta

Majorca

Sicily

Cyprus

Sardinia

Correct answer:

Cyprus

Explanation:

Cyprus was conquered by Richard the Lionheart in 1191 and formally introduced into the Crusader Kingdoms as the Kingdom of Cyprus. It was one of the final crusader kingdoms to fall, thanks to its defensibility and isolation from the mainland. It would stay in Catholic hands until 1489 when it was conquered by the Republic of Venice, and later by the Ottoman Empire.

Example Question #13 : Economic History

The Crusades resulted in which of the following changes within Europe?

Possible Answers:

Large scale immigration of Europeans to the Middle East

The establishment of a massive European land empire throughout much of the Middle East

Re-discovery of written works from the classical world, along with an increase in Mediterranean trade networks

A decrease in the spread of knowledge and trade within Europe

Temporary European control of Egypt and North Africa

Correct answer:

Re-discovery of written works from the classical world, along with an increase in Mediterranean trade networks

Explanation:

The Crusades allowed for Europeans to come into greater contact with Muslim societies, many of which had preserved classical Greek and Roman texts that had been lost in Europe. Furthermore, the increased movement of people resulted in the establishment of additional trade networks between the Middle East and Europe.  While the Crusades also gave Europeans temporary holds on Middle Eastern territory, the conquered lands were located within the Levant.

Example Question #14 : Economic History

At the epicenter of African-European-Asian trade was the _____________.

Possible Answers:

the Frankish kingdom

the Malian Empire

the Ming Dynasty

Ottoman Empire

the Spanish Empire

Correct answer:

Ottoman Empire

Explanation:

The Ottoman Empire straddled the border between Africa, Asia, and Europe, dominating trade between these regions. The Malian Empire, while extraordinarily wealthy, was in West Africa and ill suited to dominate trade between Europe and Asia. Likewise, the Ming dynasty was powerful and wealthy, but on the east coast of Asia, separated from Africa and Europe by the entirety of the Asian landmass. The Frankish kingdom dominated mainland Europe, but had little influence in Asia or Africa. Finally, the Spanish Empire was largely created out of an attempt to circumnavigate the Ottoman position.

Example Question #3 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Ce To 1450

While the Celts were known for fine enamelwork, the Roman artisan tradition centered around __________________.

Possible Answers:

jade

paper and papyrus

silver and glass

ivory

silk

Correct answer:

silver and glass

Explanation:

While different provinces and people within the Roman empire had their own traditions of craftsmanship, Rome's silver and glass workshops were considered the best in the world for millennium.

Egypt and other regions of the empire excelled in the crafting of papyrus and paper, not Rome.

Jade, ivory, and silks were all available in ancient Rome, but from distant provinces' trade with other empires; none of these goods came from Rome.

Example Question #6 : Trade, Commerce, And Market Competition 600 Ce To 1450

What was the purpose of caravansaries?

Possible Answers:

To provide lodging and food to traveling caravans

To keep track of the exchange of goods and items in the Dar al-Islam

To pool a community’s resources to invest in a collective trading venture

To transport goods across vast distances of land

To provide protection for traveling merchants from raiding parties

Correct answer:

To provide lodging and food to traveling caravans

Explanation:

For many hundreds of years the majority of trading between Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia was facilitated by Muslim traders who operated trading caravans. These caravans would move over vast distances carrying goods from one region to another. Caravansaries were important establishments that sprung up to cater to the needs of these traveling caravans. Their presence was generally indicative of a wealthy city -trade begets wealth. 

Example Question #16 : Economic History

Ghana emerged as a wealthy and prosperous region primarily due to control of ___________.

Possible Answers:

the African diamond trade

the Congo and Nile Rivers

the African gold trade

the Senegal and Niger Rivers

the African slave trade

Correct answer:

the African gold trade

Explanation:

Ghana and other West African states became immensely wealthy in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries due to control of the lucrative African gold trade. Gold arrived in Ghana from southern Africa and was exchanged with Arab traders for luxury goods like salt.

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