Question
From 130 BCE to 1453 C.E., the silk road linked cultures stretching from China to Rome, an astounding feat of connection. Ironically, however, the origins of this great connector lay in war.
Throughout the second century B.C.E., China was frequently under attack by the Xiongnu tribe. In order to defeat the Xiongnu, the Chinese emperor decided he needed war horses, and so sent his emissary Zhang Qian to the lands of the Ferghana Valley, where it was rumored that people bred such horses.
During the course of his mission, Zhang would twice be captured and enslaved by the Xiongnu. After finally escaping and reaching the Ferghana Valley, he discovered that the horses he sought weren’t for sale. In all, Zhang was away from his homeland for 13 years.
Although Zhang failed to bring back Ferghana horses, he returned with something more valuable: knowledge of a route through the mountains to prosperous societies with riches to trade. The knowledge Zhang gained from his journey led China to establish new trade routes that served as the beginning of the famed Silk Road.
How did war contribute to the development of the Silk Road?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) Zhang Qian traveled to learn more about the Xiongnu, and, along the way, accidentally discovered new kingdoms to trade with.
A
Zhang Qian traveled to learn more about the Xiongnu, and, along the way, accidentally discovered new kingdoms to trade with.
(Choice B) Zhang Qian attempted to conquer the Xiongnu and Ferghana peoples, and his conquests allowed him to create prosperous trading routes.
B
Zhang Qian attempted to conquer the Xiongnu and Ferghana peoples, and his conquests allowed him to create prosperous trading routes.
(Choice C) Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
C
Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
(Choice D) Zhang Qian set out in search of allies to strengthen the Chinese military’s war efforts, which led him to develop new trading routes with his allies.
D
Zhang Qian set out in search of allies to strengthen the Chinese military’s war efforts, which led him to develop new trading routes with his allies.
Throughout the second century B.C.E., China was frequently under attack by the Xiongnu tribe. In order to defeat the Xiongnu, the Chinese emperor decided he needed war horses, and so sent his emissary Zhang Qian to the lands of the Ferghana Valley, where it was rumored that people bred such horses.
During the course of his mission, Zhang would twice be captured and enslaved by the Xiongnu. After finally escaping and reaching the Ferghana Valley, he discovered that the horses he sought weren’t for sale. In all, Zhang was away from his homeland for 13 years.
Although Zhang failed to bring back Ferghana horses, he returned with something more valuable: knowledge of a route through the mountains to prosperous societies with riches to trade. The knowledge Zhang gained from his journey led China to establish new trade routes that served as the beginning of the famed Silk Road.
How did war contribute to the development of the Silk Road?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) Zhang Qian traveled to learn more about the Xiongnu, and, along the way, accidentally discovered new kingdoms to trade with.
A
Zhang Qian traveled to learn more about the Xiongnu, and, along the way, accidentally discovered new kingdoms to trade with.
(Choice B) Zhang Qian attempted to conquer the Xiongnu and Ferghana peoples, and his conquests allowed him to create prosperous trading routes.
B
Zhang Qian attempted to conquer the Xiongnu and Ferghana peoples, and his conquests allowed him to create prosperous trading routes.
(Choice C) Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
C
Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
(Choice D) Zhang Qian set out in search of allies to strengthen the Chinese military’s war efforts, which led him to develop new trading routes with his allies.
D
Zhang Qian set out in search of allies to strengthen the Chinese military’s war efforts, which led him to develop new trading routes with his allies.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
(Choice C) Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
This choice accurately summarizes how Zhang Qian's mission, initially intended to secure war horses, ultimately contributed to the development of the Silk Road by providing knowledge of important trade routes and connections.
(Choice C) Zhang Qian journeyed to find horses for the war with the Xiongnu, which gave him knowledge of routes that led to people to trade with.
This choice accurately summarizes how Zhang Qian's mission, initially intended to secure war horses, ultimately contributed to the development of the Silk Road by providing knowledge of important trade routes and connections.