Question
conquests have been defined as the last chapter of the Eurasian transformations of tenth[through the] thirteenth centuries yet with the same or even better justification they can also be regarded as the first chapter of a new era, perhaps the early-modern one The Mongol period was a significant step towards closer integration of the old world, both inside and outside the empire’s realm. Certainly the vast dimensions of the empire contributed to that, but the role of the Mongols was not limited to being the passive medium through which their subjects learned from one another. instead they actively promoted inter-cultural exchange. a. identify one economic development that would support Biranś argument in the passage regarding the mongols and the integration of the old world b. explain how one piece of evidence would challenge Biran’s argument regarding the mongols and the first chapter of a new era
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### a. Identify one economic development that would support Biran's argument regarding the Mongols and the integration of the old world.
One significant economic development that supports Biran's argument about the Mongols facilitating the integration of the old world is the establishment of the **Pax Mongolica**. This term refers to the stabilizing effects of the Mongol Empire on trade routes across Eurasia during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The Mongols provided a level of security that allowed for safer and more efficient trade across the Silk Road and other routes. This led to an increase in the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different regions, including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For example, commodities like silk, spices, and precious metals flowed more freely due to Mongol protection and facilitation of trade networks, which not only boosted local economies but also integrated diverse cultures and economies into a more interconnected world.
### b. Explain how one piece of evidence would challenge Biran's argument regarding the Mongols and the first chapter of a new era.
One piece of evidence that could challenge Biran's characterization of the Mongol conquests as the first chapter of a new era is the **disruption and destruction caused by the Mongol invasions** in various regions, particularly in areas like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Mongols were known for their brutal military campaigns, which included the destruction of cities, massacres of populations, and the dismantling of existing trade systems and local governance structures. For instance, the sacking of Baghdad in 1258 led to a significant decline in the region's cultural and intellectual life, as well as a massive disruption of trade networks that had been established for centuries. This evidence suggests that while the Mongols may have promoted integration in some instances, their conquests also resulted in significant chaos and regression in other areas, indicating that the era following their rise may not have been characterized by unqualified progress or integration, but rather by conflict and upheaval that hindered development in several crucial regions.
One significant economic development that supports Biran's argument about the Mongols facilitating the integration of the old world is the establishment of the **Pax Mongolica**. This term refers to the stabilizing effects of the Mongol Empire on trade routes across Eurasia during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The Mongols provided a level of security that allowed for safer and more efficient trade across the Silk Road and other routes. This led to an increase in the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different regions, including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For example, commodities like silk, spices, and precious metals flowed more freely due to Mongol protection and facilitation of trade networks, which not only boosted local economies but also integrated diverse cultures and economies into a more interconnected world.
### b. Explain how one piece of evidence would challenge Biran's argument regarding the Mongols and the first chapter of a new era.
One piece of evidence that could challenge Biran's characterization of the Mongol conquests as the first chapter of a new era is the **disruption and destruction caused by the Mongol invasions** in various regions, particularly in areas like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Mongols were known for their brutal military campaigns, which included the destruction of cities, massacres of populations, and the dismantling of existing trade systems and local governance structures. For instance, the sacking of Baghdad in 1258 led to a significant decline in the region's cultural and intellectual life, as well as a massive disruption of trade networks that had been established for centuries. This evidence suggests that while the Mongols may have promoted integration in some instances, their conquests also resulted in significant chaos and regression in other areas, indicating that the era following their rise may not have been characterized by unqualified progress or integration, but rather by conflict and upheaval that hindered development in several crucial regions.