Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Mongolian Empire is renowned for its profound impact on trade, particularly through its efforts to secure and improve the safety of trade routes like the Silk Roads. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan and his successors, the empire established a vast network of communication and trade that connected various parts of Europe and Asia.

One of the key aspects of this effect was the implementation of the Pax Mongolica, a period of relative peace and stability across the empire, which allowed traders to travel freely and safely across long distances. This environment not only encouraged the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures among different civilizations but also led to increased economic activity and prosperity in regions linked by these routes.

The other options present scenarios that do not accurately reflect the historical impact of the Mongolian Empire on trade. For instance, while maritime routes were important, the Mongols primarily focused on land trade routes. The idea that the Mongols isolated China contradicted their actual policies, which sought to promote trade and interaction. Lastly, rather than causing a decline in trade due to warfare, the Mongolian Empire is noted for reducing warfare along trade routes, ultimately bolstering trade activities.