600+–+1450+CE

1. Growth in long-distance trading 2. Tech developments like compass, shipbuilding, gunpowder 3. Nomadic groups (Vikings, Turks, Mongols) interacted with settled people 4. Religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism) preach equality: monastic life is alternative for women 5. Religion spreads, aided by trade. Sometimes unifies (christianity in W. Europe, confucianism and buddhism in E. Asia) 6. Political structures changed. Centralized empires (Byzantine, Arab Caliphates, Tang, Song) modeled the past, while decentralized areas (Western Europe, Japan) developed more effective political structure. Mongol movements affected many Asian governments.
 * Top 6:**

Growth in lond distance trade: Silk Road, Indian Ocean, Trans-Saharan trade, Mediterranean Sea. Under Mongols, trade was at its height Change: classic empires fell. Nomadic groups (Mongols, Turks) caused change Continuity: Religion spread and grew. Trade routes grew. Patriarchal gender structures were common Better ways of navigating: compass, shipbuilding tech, gunpowder Bantus, Turks, Mongols, Vikings migrated Black Plague spreads because of trade Religions which preached equality aided women's rights. The path of religious devotion opened up as an alternative for women. Religion unifed: Christianity / Western Europe Buddhism-Confucianism / East Asia Islam / Middle East Classical governments fell. Centralized empires modeled the past Decentralized areas hammered out a new way. Mongols wreaked havoc with politcal structures.
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