Compare two approaches to spreading ideas and beliefs—trade and conquest. State which approach you think works better and why. Use evidence to support your points.

Spreading Ideas by trade works better. Find the explanation below.

Explanation:

Ideas, and beliefs can be spread through trade and conquest. The spread of ideas and beliefs through trade occurs when people with different beliefs engage in buying and selling of goods and services. During such interactions,  ideas are exchanged, and local cultures are learned. This is a gradual but very effective system of conversion. The spread of ideas and beliefs through conquest entails physical battle between people with different beliefs, such that the winner captures the losers and impose their beliefs on them. People also get converted through this system, but it is not as fast and effective as the conquest by trade.

A case in point is the spread of the Islamic religion in some countries. Arab Muslims first used military conquest to make people accept their religion. But the conquered did not immediately embrace the religion, for it was not until many years later (about the 11th century) that these states became predominantly Muslim states. However, Conversion through trade by merchants and missionaries was more effective as ideas were gradually exchanged through daily interactions and it was easier and faster to adopt the new ways of life and religion.