Comparing the Silk and Wool Trades
WORLD HISTORY PROJECTORIGINS/ LESSON 5.7ACTIVITYCOMPARING THE SILK AND WOOL TRADESUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Comparing the Silk and Wool Trades,” OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/1PurposeExplore how the trade of silk and wool across medieval Afro-Eurasia helped shapesocieties, economies, and cultures in different ways. Show what you’ve learned by completing two different tasks that compare their production, trade routes, and influence on the world.Process1.Review what you learned from the videos Silk and the Song Dynastyand Guilds, Wool, and Trade: Medieval England in a Global Economy.2.Choose two tasks to complete from thischoice board:Comparison Chart:Create a side-by-side chart showing who produced silk and wool, how it was traded, and its impact on each region.Fashion Through the Ages:Design two outfit cards—one made of silk (Song China) and one of wool (England). On the back, explain what each outfit tells us about its society.Mapping the Fiber Footprint:Sketch the major silk and wool trade routes on a blank map. Add symbols and trade cities.Trade Flow Diagram:Draw a visual diagram showing how silk and wool moved from production to final use. Include producers, merchants, and consumers.Diary of a Trader:Write a journal entry from the point of view of a silk worker or a wool merchant. Describe your life and how you’re connected to the world.Interconnection Reflection:Write a paragraph explaining how the silk and wool trades show that the world is becoming more connected. Include specific examples.