Answer:
Essay Outline Grid
The Silk Road: Explain its development over time, how it was used, and give reasons
for its decline. Introduction
Paragraph 1 ---Note: Spell out the whole words in your essay. Abbreviations OK for Outline.---
* general topic of
research
* background/ or
history of the
topic
*define key terms
* why topic
interesting and/or
important
* aim of the essay
* sequence of the
main ideas
The Silk Road (S.R.) – network of ancient trade routes – Asia to Europe
• 8,000 km long.
• Lasted 1,600 years
• S.R. Extensive —Not 1 road→ many, small connected roads
• 1877- famous German geographer, Ferdinand Von Richthofen. Names
S.R. → “Silk Road” (Evans, 2000)
Historic way to move/transport important goods / helped develop ancient
civilizations along routes
Will describe Silk Road
• developmental history
• how used
• reasons for S.R. decline
Main Body
Paragraph 2
Main Idea
Silk Road developed - many ways over time
Ancient trade route
• 2
nd Century BCE—1
st travelled by Zhang Qian (Chinese diplomat) trip
to Central Asia - brought new info. from travels back to China (Evans,
2000)
• 8
th Century—Peak time for S.R. during Chinese Tang Dynasty--- good
economic policy / trade encouraged by China (Evans, 2000)
• 15th Century-- Sea route discovered. Easier to transport by ship than
overland. S.R. decline
* Support
Paragraph 3
Main Idea
Silk Road - many uses
1. Transport of Goods
• mainly luxury goods like satin, silk, musk, rubies, pearls, diamonds
• Also: exchange of Info. … S.R. = the ‘information superhighway’ of
its time (Evans, 2000)
2. Other things spread by S.R:
• culture, religion, ideas, technology, art
• disease
3. People meeting/travelling from: China, India, Asia Minor,
Mediterranean
4. S.R. helps Great Civilizations develop in China, India, Egypt, Persia,
Arabia, Rome, Byzantium (Trade on the Silk Road, 2002)
* Support
Paragraph 4
Main Idea
S.R. declined – many factors
1. Around 15th Century--- S.R. declined as trade at sea increased (Trade on
the Silk Road, 2002)
• Sea trade- Less expensive = able to sell cheaper goods
• New stronger ships built
• Easier and safer to move goods via the sea
• New Markets reached → Southern Asia
2. Desert lands difficult to cross→Little H20 in desert = problem for S.R.
travellers – drifting sands too
3. Land Route Problems
• Political issues, war and conflict on S.R.
• Increase cost of land travel = more expensive products
4. 16th / 17th centuries: China closed exchange w/other countries (Best,
n.d.)
* Support
Conclusion
Paragraph 5
* restate the aim
* summarise main
ideas
* personal
opinion
* suggestions
and/or
recommendations
* call for further
research
* predict future
developments
Has examined S.R.
• S.R. – historic trade route - (2nd century BCE to 15th century)
• major route for exchange… luxury goods, ideas, culture, information,
technology.
• Closed due to improved sea trade and land trade issues→ conflict &
expense
Govts → preserve famous cities along historic route→ Xian, Almaty & Tehran
= increase tourism opportunities
Dubai could create Silk Road museum → keep history alive for future
generations – make sure SR will not be forgotte