The Roman Empire fell around the 5th century, and as Islam spread in the 7th century, trade between Europe and China slowed. Chinese traders were blocked from westward expansion into Europe when the Chinese army was defeated by Muslim fighters in the area known as Syr Darya. The trade routes, known as the Silk Road, fell into disuse, and trade between the Far East and Europe nearly stopped. It wasn't until the 13th century when the Mongols invaded and controlled central Asia and large parts of the Middle East that extensive trade along these routes was opened again

Read the excerpt from jefferson’s inaugural address. “with all these blessings, what more is necessary to make us a happy and a prosperous people? still one thing more, fellow citizens—a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” which identifies a presidential action taken by jefferson that reflects his attempt to realize the goals expressed in the excerpt? a. changing the tax system to reduce the size of government b. purchasing the louisiana territory from france c. creating a national prison system to incarcerate criminals d. improving social programs to feed the poor