The Silk Road (Novice)

Constantinople, the wealthiest European city, has fallen.

The Ottomans have completely erased the last traces of the Great Byzantine Empire and with that, the Asian and Arab monopoly over trade grows exponentially. Trade from Asia to Europe on the Silk Road is a lucrative business, and empires have become increasingly greedy about who and what can pass on their trade paths.

These monopolies have affected the market – Europe. European kingdoms are under increasing pressure to find an alternative to the well-established trade routes for valuable imported goods. Europeans must extend their trade methods outside of the norm to maintain and grow success in trading. Without creative solutions to the issue, the economy of Europe will suffer. Merchants won’t be able to sell their products and citizens won’t receive the items they need.

With great power, however, comes great responsibility. As trade blossoms in Asia and the Arab empires, Rulers try to maintain their all-powerful status within their kingdoms. A rising mercantile class that is getting rich through international trade is threatening the economic stranglehold of the ruler of their kingdoms. The kings and merchants are wary of each other, and their internal battles will play a key role in shaping the new world order.

Will Europe manage to compete with booming success of the Asian and Arab monopoly?

Will the merchants and traders gain complete economic freedom or will the kings and rulers maintain control?

Crisis Directors

Important Information

This committee is a novice committee. It is intended for those with little to no prior crisis committee experience or participation.

Rules and Procedure

This committee follows parliamentary procedure as defined in our Crisis Committee Parley Pro Document. However, procedure during committee may be modified at the Moderator’s discretion.

Position Paper

All delegates wishing to be considered for an award must submit a position paper before the start of conference. Position paper quality will be included in consideration of awards, however paper quality will not hold as much weight in award consideration as actual committee performance. Position papers are meant to ensure a basis for delegate research and help delegates feel confident while participating during the conference.

Detailed instructions for writing and submitting Position Papers can be found in the Position Paper Guidelines Document.

Questions

If you have questions about committee content or the format of your committee, please contact your Crisis Directors at contact@ctmun.org with “The Silk Road” in the subject line.

For questions about CTMUN conference and logistics, please contact contact@ctmun.org.