The Silk Road: Is History Repeating Itself?

Laszlo Montgomery

by Laszlo Montgomery

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All courses (4)

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The Silk Road: Is History Repeating Itself?

by Laszlo Montgomery

Read bio

All courses (4)

What you'll learn

The history of the Ancient Silk Road

The stories of adventurer Zhang Qian and Emperor Wu of Han

The story of Marco Polo’s travels to China during the time of Kublai Khan

The impact of the Silk Roads on world history

The background behind the announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative

An overview of the scope of the project

What does China want from this massive project?

Pros and Cons of the Belt and Road Initiative

Who are the main countries and what are the marquee project

Overview

Join China History Podcast host and creator Laszlo Montgomery as he offers a brief and easy to understand overview of China’s massive One Belt One Road (OBOR) global infrastructure development project. Also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this project, announced in 2013 comprises a land route or “Belt” referred to as the Silk Road Economic Belt. The “Road” refers to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The project builds on the ancient Silk Road trade routes that once connected China to the Mediterranean, a path famously traveled by Marco Polo. The inspiration for the Maritime Silk Road comes from the routes traveled by Ming Dynasty diplomat, admiral and adventurer Zheng He.

This course will explain modern usages of the historical Ancient Silk Roads in the context of the Silk Roads history that unfolded from the Western Han Dynasty clear through to the Song. Both the modern BRI and the Silk Roads of antiquity spanned the distances stretching from China to Europe, and in the case of the BRI, far beyond.

Already a news story that is discussed throughout the world media, the One Belt One Road / Belt and Road Initiative will continue to remain front and center in geopolitical discussions in the decades to come. This course will offer you a good background understanding of the main points and the ancient history that drives the spirit of this most ambitious 21st century infrastructure project in all of Chinese history.

Course structure

The Early Years of the Silk Road

In this first of a three-part series Laszlo introduces the Silk Road, or as it should more accurately be called, The Silk Roads.

Buddhism, Xuanzhang and The Silk Road

We return to the Silk Road and focus our attention on the monk Xuanzang. His was an interesting life. Through looking at Xuanzang you can truly gain a sense of the importance of Buddhism in China, India and almost the entirety of Central Asia.

Religion, and The Spread of Buddhism in China

In this episode, we focus more on the religious aspects of the Silk Road and the importance it has played in the spread of Buddhism in China

The Silk Road and Marco Polo

In this episode, the Silk Road is introduced in the context of the legendary explorer Marco Polo. His controversial story is also given a brief examination.

The One Belt One Road and the Belt and Road Initiative

An introductory overview on the One Belt One Road and Belt and Road Initiative. We explore how these came about, who's participating, and the political stakes riding on it, as well as the controversies surrounding the initiative.

The Scope of OBOR and BRI

In this episode, we go over the effects the One Belt One Road and the Belt and Road Initiative will have in the future years- and just how much of an impact it will create.

Bonus Q&A

Was the Maritime Silk Route yet to develop or a poor relation to the land version in the time of Zhang Qian?

What people say

Marge - Six Degrees or Less of...

Laszlo has a plethora of knowledge of not only China history, but History of it ...

Molly - Makes cleaning the kit...

Realizing I knew much too little about China, despite being a Classicist and a s...

George- Simply the best... bet...

Sure, I’m quoting Tina Turner in a review of a China History podcast, but I’m su...

Elric-Thorough and illuminatin...

Listening to this as an American, I realize I don’t know jack squat about Chines...

Rob

Laszlo gives us a much more rounded and inclusive Picture of Chinese culture the...

Fred

I learn so much just by listening to Laszlo. I love Chinese history and the he e...

Benefits

Audio learning created by passionate experts

Learn on the sofa, on the go and at your own pace

About Laszlo Montgomery

Laszlo Montgomery is the creator and presenter of the long-running China History Podcast. The program is listened to around the world and brings hundreds of different topics to eager learners of China’s long history. Laszlo has also been involved in China business since 1989, primarily in manufacturing and exporting consumer products to the US mass market. He lived in Hong Kong from 1989 to 1998 and has traveled extensively to China since 1980.