Station 1

Marco Polo
BOOK SECOND. PART I.
CHAPTER XXX. CONCERNING THE BLACK STONES THAT ARE DUG IN
CATHAY, AND ARE BURNT FOR FUEL
It is a fact that all over the country of Cathay
in beds in the mountains, which they dig out and
fire with them at night, and see that they are well
the morning; and they make such fine fuel that
country. It is true that they have plenty of wood
those stones burn better and cost less.

there is a kind of black stone existing

burn like firewood. If you supply the
kindled, you will find them still alight in
no other is used throughout the
also, but they do not burn it, because

[Moreover with the vast number of people and the number of baths they maintainfor
every one has such a bath at least three times a week, and in winter if possible every
day, whilst every nobleman and man of wealth has a private bath for his own usethe
wood would not suffice for the purpose.]

BOOK SECOND. PART III.

CHAPTER LXXV. OF THE NOBLE CITY OF SUJU
Suju is a very great and noble city. The people are Idolaters, subjects of the Great Kaan,
and have paper money. They possess silk in great quantities, from which they make
gold brocade and other stuffs, and they live by their manufactures and trade.
The city is passing great, and has a circuit of some 60 miles; it hath merchants of
great wealth and an incalculable number of people. Indeed, if the men of this city and
of the rest of manzi had but the spirit of soldiers they would conquer the world; but they
are no soldiers at all, only accomplished traders and most skillful craftsmen. There are
also in this city many great philosophers and leeches, diligent students of nature.
Question 1: What is the black stone mentioned in the first section and what does this have to
do with exploration?

Question 2: What does story 2 have to do with Marco Polo and how did accounts like this affect
his legacy and his stories?
Question 3 (map): Look at the map and explain 3 major difficulties faced while traveling the Silk
Road. What qualifies as a difficulty is up to you. (hint: use the scale to help you find some
challenges.)

http://mrnussbaum.com/explorers/explorersflash2
Use this website to access information on the following explorers. Briefly summarize their accomplishments
and take note of the years they sailed.

Example:
Henry Hudson- England
Sailed: 1610
Accomplishments: Hudson is known for his work sailing in the Arctic Circle in search for the northwest
passage. The fabled passage would be a route that connected the Atlantic and the pacific without having to
sail around South America.
Ferdinand Magellan:
Sailed:
Accomplishments:

Sir Frances Drake:

Sailed:
Accomplishments:

Vasco Da Gama:
Sailed:
Accomplishments:

Christopher Columbus:
Sailed:
Accomplishments:

Prince Henry The Navigator

Sailed:
Accomplishments:

Triangle Trade
Using the map below, draw the routes of triangle trade.
Route 1: Finished Goods > Slaves> Raw Materials
Route 2: Rum > Slaves > Sugar and Molasses

Question 1: Why does trade flow in this direction?

Question 2: What are Finished Goods?

Inventions: Identify and describe the following Inventions.

Name:_______________

Name:_________________

Use:

Use:

Name:_______________

Name:_________________

Use:

Use:

Columbian Exchange:
Using the map below, place the following groupings of staple foods into regions they are not native to (prior to the Columbian exchange)
1: Rubber
2: Peanut
3: Cow (beef)
4: Tomato
5: Coffee
Cassava
Peppers
Wheat
Potato
Banana
Cacao
Squash
Onion
Beans
Sugar Cane

Question 1: Explain the long lasting effects of the Columbian exchange.

Question 2: Explain the benefits and drawbacks of the creation of a monoculture. What are the unintentional problems that arose from this exchange?