The SILK ROADS [AP World Review—Unit 2 Topic 1]

The Silk Roads were extensive trade routes facilitating cultural exchange and commerce across Eurasia from 1200 to 1450. Innovations like paper money, credit, and banking enhanced trade efficiency. Key cities like Kashgar and Samarkand emerged as cultural and economic hubs, while increased demand for luxury goods led to significant economic shifts, including proto-industrialization in China.