War and Revolution in Asiatic Russia
The fourth, fifth, and sixth trade routes passed across the southern "gateway" from the Russian plain. Very early in their history the Slavs began to exchange the produce of their northern forests for that of the sub-tropical oases, and to carry on this trade along definite routes. The first of these came from the South of the Dnieper and passed across the Black Sea to Constantinople. The second left the steppes north of the Sea of Azov, and connected with the shores of the Caspian, whence merchandise passed either by land or water to the Persian oases. The third came down the Volga from the northern part of the Russian plain, and reached the north shores of Persia through the Caspian. The desire to control these three important trade routes led the Tzars of Moscow to embark upon their eastern campaigns. From these times dates the expansion of the Russian Empire in Asia, the conquest of the Caucasus, and the penetration of Turkestan and Persia.
Looking at the directions in which trade between Europe and Western Asia flowed during the 19th century and the early years of the 20th, we observe that they are almost identical with those in the middle ages. The maritime trade of the eastern Mediterranean, formerly controlled by the Greeks, is now under the sea power of the British Empire. One important change, however, has been made. The opening of the Suez Canal has diverted the trade that once went overland to Persia and India via Syria, and sends it now direct by sea. The second route, passing from the West by land across Asia Minor, follows to-day almost exactly the same line as in the middle ages. The only difference is that the merchandise is carried by the German Bagdad
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