Question

which statement explains a long - term impact of the silk road on global trade?
it created the first global trade network
it limited connections between continents
it reduced the power of trading cities
it ended all maritime trade networks

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The Silk Road connected Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, facilitating trade of goods, ideas, technologies, etc., and was a foundational global trade network.
• Option 2: The Silk Road increased connections between continents, so "limited connections" is incorrect.
• Option 3: The Silk Road boosted the power of trading cities (e.g., Constantinople, Kashgar) by increasing trade, so "reduced power" is wrong.
• Option 4: The Silk Road coexisted with maritime trade (e.g., Indian Ocean trade) and didn't end maritime networks; in fact, later maritime routes (like those of the Age of Exploration) developed alongside overland and maritime trade systems that had roots in the Silk Road era. So "ended all maritime trade networks" is incorrect.

Answer:

A. It created the first global trade network