The evolution of trade over time

  • 3000 BCE

    First long distance trade

    Between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley in Pakistan around 3000 BC, materials such as spices, metals, and cloth were traded between these countries.
  • 138 BCE

    Creation of the Silk road

    On his return to Han China, his most important achievement was to demonstrate the possibility of safe travel far to the west. This gave the east confidence to travel to the west for trade.
  • 1492

    New land and pathways and routes discovered for trade possibilities

    In 1492 a Spanish expedition commanded by Christopher Columbus arrived in America.
  • Jan 1, 1519

    Spanish and Aztec global trade unlocked

    The trade of gold and silver and horses
  • Japan opens up to the outside world for trade

    On July 8, 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry led his four ships into the harbour at Tokyo Bay, seeking to re-establish for the first time in over 200 years regular trade and discourse between Japan and the western world.
  • The first free trade agreement is made

    Cobden-Chevalier Treaty was put in place in 1860 between Britain and France, which led to successive agreements between other countries in Europe
  • Containerization was Introduced and invented

    One of the only universal things agreed upon, these crates have allowed for greater, more efficient, safer transport of goods.
  • China Makes it's first debut in Global Trade

    This was the start to one of the world's largest global traders to this date.
  • Bitcoin stock price jump

    This revolutionized the way people approached trading; it was the first major, non-government-controlled currency used for free trade.