How did the Silk Road increase the spread and exchange of ideas?

The Silk Road is a
term used to describe a series of trade routes that were connected throughout Asia, Africa, and
Europe.  The routes were primarily in Asia.  

Harsh climates and conflicts
between people groups had made many regions along what became the Silk Road difficult for
travel.  A western route was developed first, followed by an eastern route.  Eventually all the
routes were connected.  The Chinese were major traders along the routes, and they extended the
Great Wall to offer protection for their merchants.  The Silk Road earned its name from the
Chinese merchants who traded silk along the route.

Imported goods that had
not been seen before in most regions were traded and made accessible because of the Silk Road.
 In addition, ideas spread across the regions where the Silk Road route was located.

The religion of Buddhism spread to new regions of Asia due to the accessibility of the
Silk Road.  It also spread to parts of Japan, which still practice Buddhism today.  Christianity
also spread along the Silk Road.  The Nestorians, which were a sect of Christianity, were
"outlawed in Europe... [and they] were driven eastwards."

Changan
was the capital city of the Tang Dynasty, and it was also an important stop along the Silk Road.
 Changan became "one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities of the time" because
of its location along the Silk Road.