Final answer:
The Pax Mongolica was a period of Mongol-imposed peace and stability that facilitated commerce and communication across the Eurasian landmass during the 13th and 14th centuries, leading to increased trade along the Silk Road and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pax Mongolica refers to a period of relative peace, stability, and economic flourishing across the Mongol Empire, which stretched from Europe to Asia during the 13th and 14th centuries. This era was marked by the enhanced security and stability of caravan routes, which encouraged greater commerce and the exchange of knowledge and ideas across different cultures. The Pax Mongolica enabled merchants, travelers, and missionaries, such as Marco Polo, to traverse the Silk Road with less risk of robbery and conflict. The prevalence of peace and order under the Mongols facilitated economic growth and cultural exchanges, leading to increased interactions among diverse populations throughout Eurasia.
However, with the disintegration of the Mongol Empire, and hence the end of the Pax Mongolica, the Silk Road lost its protection and efficiency, eventually ceasing to be the primary trade route for silk and other goods. This decline spurred European exploration as alternatives were sought to reconnect with the East and its riches. It ultimately led to the Age of Discovery, with explorers like Christopher Columbus setting sail to find new routes to Asia, inadvertently discovering new continents in the process.