Cross-Cultural Interactions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cross-Cultural Interactions - Essay Example Cross-cultural interactions between 500 and 1500 CE The period between 500 CE and 1500 CE saw the emergence of various cross-cultural events that are crucial in understanding world history. These cross-cultural interactions had significant socio-economic and political ramifications for all the societies that were involved. Previous centuries had seen a long period of instability in major societies such as China, Southwest Asia, Mediterranean and India. During 500 CE, the aforementioned societies were faced with a need to restore social and political order. This stability was to be provided by empires that were well established which were Tang, Abbasid and Byzantine from China, Southwest Asia and eastern Mediterranean respectively. These empires commanded order over vast territories and had economies that were very powerful. Core to cross-cultural interactions was the spread of major religions. In particular, Islam spread across India, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. Another religion that played a vital role in bringing about cross-cultural interactions was Buddhism, which alongside with Confucianism spread from China via Korea to Vietnam. This period was also characterized with the spread of Christianity in the northern and the western part of Europe (Bently pg753). The beginning of 1000 CE and subsequent years saw a quick change in cultures throughout the world. Kingdoms and states became more centralized and cross-cultural interactions increased tremendously.... Kingdoms and states became more centralized and cross-cultural interactions increased tremendously. In America, this is the period that led to the emergence of Andean, Mayan and Mississippian cultures. European renaissance, which is a major event in world history, occurred during this period. In addition, great empires and centralized states such as the Mongol empire in Asia emerged during this period. However, during the 14th century, cross-cultural interactions decreased tremendously following the demise of many participants in long-distance trade through bubonic plague. The Europeans and the Chinese were major culprits as they lost millions of people to the epidemic. The cross-cultural interactions did not die completely. The 15th century was a period when the western Europeans became prominent due to the wealth they had amassed from cross-cultural encounters with various societies. This prominence set standards for their part in influencing major undertakings in various parts of the world even in the modern world (Bently pg766). Significance of the Cross-Cultural Interactions The conquests and trading activities that were carried out by Muslim states led to a remarkable distribution of food and crops throughout Asia, which resulted to growth of population and increased food production in Europe, China and North Africa. Long distance trade was an aspect of culture that developed during this period. This trade brought major implications in culture and religion. Merchants carrying out this trade traversed various societies and cultural regions whereby they integrated with new communities. These merchants played a major role in the establishment of religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism in Asia, Christianity in Asia and Islam in some parts