The Big History of Civilizations Season 1 Episode 32 The Advent of Global Commerce

The Big History of Civilizations is a historical documentary series that aims to explore the complex and interconnected stories of human civilizations by tracing their origins, developments, and challenges throughout time. In the piloting season of the show, the presenters delve into various historical moments and turning points that have shaped the world we live in today. In this review, we focus on the thirty-second episode of the series, titled The Advent of Global Commerce.

The episode takes us back to the Middle Ages, when the world was undergoing significant changes in trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. During this period, various empires, kingdoms, and city-states were emerging and expanding, competing for resources and wealth, and reshaping the geopolitical landscape. The presenters highlight that the rise of global commerce was not a sudden event, but rather the outcome of many centuries of exploration, experimentation, and innovation.

The episode begins by emphasizing the role of the Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes that stretched from China to the Mediterranean, connecting disparate regions and cultures. The presenters show how the Silk Road was critical to the exchange of goods, ideas, and religions, as well as to the diffusion of technology and science. They explain that the Silk Road was not a single route but a series of interconnected paths that linked different hubs of commerce, such as Samarkand, Kashgar, Bukhara, and Constantinople. The images and maps of the Silk Road are engaging and informative, giving viewers an insight into the vastness and diversity of these ancient trade routes.

The focus then shifts to the rise of the maritime trade, which was made possible by the invention of new ship designs, navigational tools, and maritime routes. The presenters explain how the Chinese, Portuguese, and Arab sailors played crucial roles in expanding the horizons of commerce by exploring and charting new seas and oceans. They also emphasize the role of the Indian Ocean, which was the world's most extensive and interconnected body of water, hosting vital ports and cities like Calicut, Hormuz, and Malacca. The presenters argue that the maritime trade revolutionized the global economy by enabling faster and cheaper transportation of goods, opening up new markets and opportunities.

The episode proceeds to discuss the merchants and entrepreneurs who drove the global commerce, such as Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and the Medici family. The presenters describe the risks and rewards of trade, the diplomacy and competition among merchants, and the impact of trade on the social and cultural connections between civilizations. They explain that trade not only provided goods but also facilitated the exchange of art, literature, music, and scientific knowledge. The episode shows some beautiful artworks and artifacts, including calligraphy, pottery, textiles, and maps, which illustrate the diversity and richness of cross-cultural encounters.

A prominent theme of the episode is the encounter between the West and the East, which started as a commercial and cultural dialogue but later turned into a geopolitical and military contest. The presenters argue that the rise of the West was largely due to its access to new resources, such as gold, silver, and spices, which fueled its economic growth and colonial ambitions. They also discuss the consequences of the global commerce, such as the spread of diseases, the exploitation of labor and resources, and the disruption of local economies and cultures.

Overall, The Advent of Global Commerce is a fascinating and informative episode of The Big History of Civilizations, which sheds light on one of the most crucial and transformative periods in human history. The presenters combine the use of stunning visuals, expert interviews, and engaging storytelling to unravel the complex and multi-layered nature of global trade and its impact on the world. The episode is suitable for viewers interested in history, economics, trade, or globalization, and it provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected world.