《History of European - Asian trade》.doc

History of European - Asian trade References: Imperialism in Asia China and Europe (Columbia) World History (Korean Academy) Index Portugal Spain and the Philippines Holland France British Empire Early contacts Trade with the East has a long history. From time immemorial, southern Arabia had been a trading centre for frankincense, myrrh, and other fragrant resins. Initially goods were transported by caravans - with as many as 4,000 camels - but arab traders started sailing directly to spice-producing lands before the Christian era, mainly India but also Ceylon, a producer of pearls, cinnamon and cardamom. Further East, Malays and Chinese sailors fetched spices from the Moluccan Islands. Prized for their flavor, spices such as cloves, nutmeg and mace were also believed to cure everything from the plague to venereal disease, and were literally worth their weight in gold. In the first centuries of the Common Era, the Romans carried out significant trade with India and beyond through their Egyptian Red Sea ports. As early as 165 AD, there were traders living in Canton who considered themselves Roman subjects. Activity was extensive for more than three centuries and then began to decline. India provided spices (mainly black pepper) and aromatics, quality textiles with brilliant dyes, ivory and gems. In return, India received coral, wine and papyrus but mainly gold and silver coinage. IN China, Canton was the starting point for the Maritime Silk Road that went to India, southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In 627, a mosque was established in Canton and by 1405 the number of foreign traders was so large that an area of the city was set aside for them. Later, Canton would remain Chinas main point of contact for Europeans. In the 10th century, both Venice and Genoa began to prosper through trade in the Levant and Europeans became aware of the fabulous wealth of kingdoms to the East from the luxury goods, like spices and silk, that came over the land routes. In 13