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A Look Back at the 1000's Economic growth The century just drawing to a close has been an age of tremendous economic growth. The booming economy of Song China has stimulated trade throughout Asia, and Song merchant ships now regularly ply the waters from south China to India and Persia. Burgeoning markets and a growing demand for labor in that region have driven the expansion of old cities and the establishment of new ones. Conflict and ambition The 1000’s also has seen a rise in military conflict. For the peoples of India, Persia, and Anatolia, the century opened with an invasion by Turks. Song China became an attractive target for invading Turks, Mongols, and Manchurians. The century ended with a series of ambitious military campaigns by European Christians to recapture Spain, Palestine, and Mediterranean islands held by Arab Muslims. Scandinavian expansion The Scandinavian peoples made their mark on the century with military expansion and geographical exploration. In earlier centuries, Scandinavian adventurers had established communities in England, Ireland, France, and Russia. During the past 100 years, these warriors have ventured as far west as Greenland and beyond, to a rich land they call Vinland, where they have established colonies. Scandinavian descendants, now Christianized, also have lent their fervor and military prowess to the European campaigns against Arab Muslims. |