In 1500 the attitudes towards trade and more specifically merchants, varied greatly. One’s religion was a major contributor to how individuals viewed merchants. Christians and Islamic people shared many similarities in their views (Documents 1, 4, and 5). For example, they believed that trade leads to unvirtuous lives, also believed that merchants were often corrupt. On the other hand, Muslims and Christians had opposing views in terms of merchants and their objectives (Documents 6 and 7). Some Christians believed that merchants are an important part of economic well being and they benefited the society and many artisans. Opposingly, the Islams believed that merchants only benefited themselves and rid other people of products. Throughout the …show more content…
course of time, Christian’s ideas about trade faced a dramatic change. In addition, some Christians and Muslims believed that trade and merchants were extremely beneficial if it was handled correctly (Documents 2, 3, and 7). Originally (70-80 CE) Christians believed that merchants would not enter heaven and they believed it was unholy and wrong to be a merchant. By the fourteenth century their ideas on trade faced a complete change.
At this point their beliefs were that trade was not only beneficial to society, but necessary. However throughout this time, many people still continued to be weary of the validity of merchants, like St. Thomas Aquinas. Also, throughout this time span, trade never disappeared and neither did merchants. Islamic peoples believed trade had once been very amazing and positively impactful. However recently the trade had been mishandled and led to crooked merchants and sales. This change over time from positive views to negative opinions shows the development of ideas in Islamic society. However, those opinions were constantly changing. Like Christians, the importance of trade never disappeared. For both Christians and Muslims, trade was perpetually crucial to the economy. In order to better analyze these documents, it would be helpful to have a historic document from Christian and Muslim commoners. In the document they would discuss their views on merchants and trade. This would be beneficial because the documents are only from high officials in their societies and does not display the other …show more content…
views. The Christians and Muslims both believed that merchants lived unvirtuous, sin ridden lives. The Bible said, “A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Doc 1) This document clearly reflect the views of Christians. This is a reliable source as the Bible is the holy text for Christians, and read and practiced by thousands of Christians around the world. Thomas Aquinas believed it was, “Sinful to have recourse and deceit in order to sell a thing for more that its price” (Doc 4) This illustrates how Christians felt about merchants and the acts they were willing to take to sell an item. Furthermore, this shows how they believed that trade led to greed and deceit. Ibn Khaldun agreed with the Christians. He is extremely reliable as he is one of the most well known Muslim scholars. Many would’ve looked to him and his views to shape their own. He was a role model for the Islamic church. Ibn Khaldun said, “These qualities lead to a decrease and weakening in virtue of manliness. For these acts inevitably affect the soul” (Doc 5). His views clearly depict the fact that Muslims believed that merchants led vile lives that would restrict their religious abilities. Both Christians and Muslims believed that the merchant’s lifestyle was a poor one without any aspect of righteousness. Opposingly, some Christian and Muslim views differed compared to those views of Christians and Muslims agreeing. Letters from Italian merchants read, “With God always before us, we will carry out your bidding” (Doc 6). This document explains how merchants are not leading unholy lives, they claimed to always put a god first and trade in a holy manner. However, this document is unreliable due to the fact that is is written by merchants and they are anonymous merchants. Meaning there is no guaranteed accuracy to this document. The Islamic court ruled that the actions of merchants were rude, “ Whenever cotton yarn comes to [town], the aforementioned arrives, pays an extra price, and takes it from its owner, and the other weavers remain deprived” (Doc 7). This means that the Islamic court believed that merchants obtain the commodity before other weavers have the opportunity to make their own product and sell it. Furthermore saying that merchants are hurting their economies on a smaller scale. In conclusion, Muslim and Christians did not always have the same views in term of merchants. Many of the times they disagreed with one another. Many people believed trade was a great act when it was handled correctly.
The Qur’an (which is extremely reliable as it is the Islamic holy law and read and practiced by most Muslims) read, “ And give full measure when you measure out and weigh with true balance. This is fair and better in the end” (Doc 2) This discusses how that trade is meritable when it is done with honesty and respect for others and the Islamic church itself. Similarly a monk believed that profit lead to eventual charity. He said, “ Sixteen years as a merchant, and began to think of spending on charity, to God’s honor and service, the goods which he had laboriously acquired. He therefore too the cross as a pilgrim to Jerusalem” (Document 3) This is important as it depicts that once one has worked for years to acquire his assets he will return those to not only charity but God. Muslims also believed that trade had once been beneficial and flourishing, but recently mishandled. The Islamic court said, “ The aforementioned has now acted contrary to the old custom; We do not agree with this” (Doc 7). This quote depicts how in the Islamic realm they believed that merchants and trade had the possibility of being great. These all directly supports the previous claim which said that trade is great when handled
correctly.
In 610 CE, Muhammad, a merchant trader from Mecca (Mecca is also a site of a yearly pilgrimage where Muslims come to perform a rituals at the sacred Ka’ba a.k.a. the holy shrine of Mecca), made one of his frequent visits to a cave by Mount Hira. On his way to the cave, he decided to pray because of all the different causes that made him feel like he was losing his way. During this visit to Mount Hira, the Archangel Gabriel squeezed Muhammad hard forcing the words “Allah is one God” continuously coming out of his mouth. After having these words come out of his mouth for about two years, Muhammad decided that it was the time to encourage others to quote
Through analyzing the five given documents, factors affecting cultural exchange through civilizations during 1000 and 1400 A.D. are noticeably those which result in the bringing of new ideas to a different area, such as missionary work, commerce, war, and travels. As new religions sprouted throughout Europe on other expansive areas, missionaries were sent out to foreign lands. Document 1 comes from the viewpoint of a Roman Catholic missionary attempting to spread his faith by presenting a letter from the pope to the emperor of the Tatars. This shows that by converting a powerful leader to your faith, such as an emperor, it is easier for others to follow said faith. Documents 2 and 4 also emphasize how travel can be accountable for the exchange of ideas between cultures. Both Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo traveled extensive distances, stopping in various cities. Throughout their journeys, they carried their ideas with them, but were also introduced to the ideas of the people in the places they were visiting. Document 3 presents what is most likely the culprit for the increase in cultural diffusion during 1000 to 1400 A.D. War is often the reason for major cultural diffusion because, as new lands are conquered and the people of that land are put under the rule of a different people, the beliefs, traditions, and cultures of the conquerors mesh with those of the conquered. Document 5 also introduces a driving force in cultural diffusion – commerce. During this time period, many people were traders. Products made by a people are characteristics of their culture, whether it is the skill, intelligence, cleverness, or religious inclination of those people. As traders made their way to foreign lands to conduct business, whole empires were int...
Christianity’s and Islam’s outlook on trade significantly varied from the 1st century until the 15th century. Trade in the two religions differed greatly at first, since one believed that it was sinful, while the other embraced it. However, by the end of the Post Classical era, the religions' view on trade and merchants were almost as if they were switched. Christian teachings warn about the consequences from the effects of trade, whereas the Muslims practice trade as an accepted way of life (Docs 1,2,3,6). Even with these differences ideas on the topic, they still preached the importance of fair trade (Docs 2,4,5,7). By the 15th and 16th centuries, Muslims and Christians both changed when Muslims started to demand fairer trade and Christians
In conclusion, early Muslims had multitudinous connections with several religions as beneficial partners for trade, travel, and conquest. By analyzing each primary source, the benefits of having a relationship with different religions comes to light. Whether Muslims were interacting with Vikings, Jews, or Christians, establishing a friendly relationship allowed early Muslims to continue building stronger military forces, acquiring material goods, and avoid being raided by enemies. Each source provides different insight to how early Muslims thought and treated the religious groups they encountered.
The modern world is linked through networks of communication and exchange between peoples. These exchanges between regions has changed cultures, economics, and politics. Through time the cultural influence between regions has consisted of many factors and elements but comes down to the spread of religion and religious teachings , movement of peoples, technological and cultural advancements affecting trade and commerce. Beginning with the Middle Ages in the years 1100-1500 , Africa, Asia, and Europe developed and influenced each other in several different ways. Starting with religion. The birth of Islam in the Middle East rapidly spread throughout Afro- Eurasia. Islam was attractive to people who were uninterested in the requirements of Christianity and the Church.
... had control various territories. Many merchants learned the Islamic language and became custom to their traditions. This allowed for its culture to spread and Islam had received converts. The trading industry has a major effect on the economy and allows the spread of one’s culture.
Islam culture in a way that was not seen in JudeoChristian ones. ( Murray 91). The
The history of the world is bought together by its sophisticated culture and commerce net. Throughout the history, human beings have been taking on varies role in the society, and it has been the human activities kept the history alive, writing down the story of our time. Back in 16th century, an ancient nation was the center of world trading system; this nation attracted countries all over the globe to try to use its cultural and economic superiority for reference, and this nation was China. European countries such as Dutch, England and French had went to Ming and Qing China numerous time, trading had always been their main goal, but the process and strategies have changed throughout the history. There are proves stating that European merchant had taken on an active in Chinese society since Medieval China, which is 13th century. As time goes by, the trade between China and Europe had getting increasingly frequent and more complex. Therefore, this paper focuses on European trading activity with China from 16th century to 20th century, along with trading policy and social status changes.
The merchants from East Asia continued to exchange goods with the European merchants, and vice versa. Both of the merchants from East Asia and Western Europe remained intensely dependent on trade, especially on the Silk Road. These exchanges led to a great and powerful state, regardless of what sort of merchandise was being traded. This was one essential reason for why the Silk Road remained, for the most part, unaltered, but another is that it allowed for the diffusion of religion, since the very beginning of this trade routes existence. Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions were being diffused all throughout Eurasia. The Diffusion of religion never really stopped to extend their minister effort to different parts of the world. For example, Old Greek writing and content of literature were acquired and deciphered by the Islamic Caliphates and eventually, the Christian’s in Europe got these amid the Crusades along the Silk
The trading has been conventional between the countries since several thousand years ago, however, the people were not enlightened regarding the distinct cultures and backgrounds. The
Throughout history it is evident that many religions have been tried, tested, and, for some, radically changed. Many religions have gone through periods of time in which the way they were run or enforced underwent changes in practice and leadership. In many cases disagreements and differing outlooks among members of certain religions were to blame for these changes. Christianity and Islam are two examples of religions that have experienced changes over the course of their existence. While these religions seem to have little in common at first glance, both have strikingly similar pasts that consist of radical splits due to disagreements among members of the Christian and Islamic churches, resulting in new branches within each religion.
At the first glance, Islam and Christianity appear to have nothing in common, however; as you go beyond the surface, they appear to have many similarities such as their beliefs of God, their beliefs of life after death, their holy scriptures, and their prayers. These religions, although are two entirely different beliefs, share a similar origin. Like many other religions, they both claim to be the one and only true way to God. In order to truly see and understand their similarities, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam. Throughout the course of this essay, I will compare the many facets that show the alikeness between these two growing religions.
‘The Merchant of Venice’ focuses on trade itself and its effects on society and religion. Antoni...
Islam and Christianity have a vast amount of similarities as well as differences. Islam searches for guidance from the Qur’an and Christianity depends on faith in Jesus. Islamic faith believes in the God, Allah. Above anything else, all religious Muslims obey Allah and his commandments to obtain peace. On other hand, Christianity puts faith in Jesus who is the son of God. A major concept that separates both of the religions is the fact that the God of each faith has different qualities. This means Islam and Christianity don’t worship the same God. Islam and Christianity are two separate belief systems in which two separate Gods exist.
Rulers on the East African coast saw the advantages of trade and welcomed traders from all over, Muslim merchants had established trading ports in East Africa, mainly to trade for African gold. The annual monsoon winds were used to carry ships to India in the summer and to Africa in the winter. They have traded ivory, iron, copper, gold, silk, spices and many other things. To benefit from commerce, people would meet these merchants on their small native boats. They would offer food and hospitality to the merchants on the ship, and if the merchant had accepted such an offer, then he was obligated to lodge in that person’s house and to accept their services from whatever business that transacted. This was a way for the local people to benefit from