Lessons from India and China

    India and China were two important parts in the world system during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Both subsystems played integral parts in the trade route and expansion of resources. If the important location could ensure hegemony, then south India would have enjoyed permanent enjoyment with wealth and class. India's geographical position was considered a hinge between the eastern and western basins of the Indian Ocean. It was also considered the center of the sea lane from the Mediterranean to China. China's economic collapse was the reason for their fall. Bad government and political factors were the reasons from the lack of revenue and expenditures for the China Empire. China's geographic position in the thirteenth century world system was crucial. China connected the northern overland route with the Indian Ocean route. Both China and India were both intense parts of the completion of world trade.

    One of the most interesting facts that were learned this week was the impact of geographical location within the world system. The most fascinating fact to me was India's location. India was in the center of the thirteenth century world system. Whoever wanted to trade throughout the entire world system was forced to go through India. Because of this, south and north India became prosperous and wealthy. Because of the fact that they were wealthy, India was content with this position. India took advantage of trade with the east and west while exporting less than those nations. For example, the Roman system traded with India. India did not trade as valuably ad the Romans did. Hence, the Romans imported less when India exported a lesser value. The creativeness of the Indian merchants allowed India to import many exotic goods while maintaining a good state.

    The lessons from India and China during the thirteenth century third system were important schooling for future world systems. Some questions that I have are as follows:

• Why didn't India be more aggressive with their wealth and prosperity?
  
• Did India cause the Roman fall?
  
• Does the weather truly affect trade?
  
• Was China truly a hegemonic?
  
• Here is my opinions:
  

  These questions were referred to the discussion during class. I feel that India was not aggressive because those being the center allowed the people to be content. India was an important factor with the Roman Empire's fall, however, external factors was the reasons for the fall of Rome. Weather does affect trade and trade routes. China was a hegemon as they were a critical aspect of the thirteenth century world system and world trade.