APW CED

Unit 1 - The Global Tapestry (c.1200–c.1450)

An introduction to various key themes and developments in governance, culture, economy, social structures, and regional interactions during this period.

Song dynasty

Imperial bureaucracy, civil service exams, and a commercialized economy; significant for institutionalized meritocratic governance and technological advancements.

Champa rice

Fast-maturing rice introduced to China that increased yields and population, promoting urban growth and labor specialization.

Grand Canal

An internal trade infrastructure in China linking north and south, enhancing market integration and state fiscal capacity.

Abbasid Baghdad / House of Wisdom

An intellectual center that preserved and transmitted classical knowledge; facilitated advances in various scholarly fields.

Sufism & Islamic networks

Mystical movements and networks of scholar-travelers that facilitated cultural accommodation and conversion across regions.

Delhi Sultanate

A Muslim-ruled state in northern India known for new governance forms and religious-cultural interactions.

Bhakti movement

A devotional Hinduism emphasizing personal devotion, crossing caste and gender lines while fostering syncretism with Islam.

Maya city-states

Independent polities in Mesoamerica noted for their developments in astronomy and writing, showcasing complex political-religious systems.

Mexica (Aztec) empire

A tribute-based empire centered on Tenochtitlan known for intensive tribute labor systems and a rich ritual culture.

Inca empire

A centralized Andean empire with a sophisticated administrative system, known for its road network and labor obligations.

Mali / Timbuktu

West African empires linked to trans-Saharan trade, known for wealth derived from gold-salt trade and centers of Islamic learning.

Swahili city-states

Coastal trade cities in East Africa characterized by blended cultures and significant engagement in Indian Ocean commerce.

Great Zimbabwe

An inland state in Africa built on cattle and gold trade, notable for its regional power and distinct architectural style.

Feudalism

A decentralized social and economic structure based on lord-vassal relationships predominating in medieval Europe.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of plants, animals, people, and pathogens across the Atlantic that transformed diets and demography.

Black Death

A pandemic that caused massive mortality and social upheaval spreading along trade routes in the 14th century.

Scramble for Africa

The late-19th-century partition of Africa among European powers, imposing new political boundaries and colonial structures.

U.S.–Soviet rivalry & containment

The ideological competition between the two superpowers during the Cold War, influencing global politics and alliances.

Nonaligned Movement

A coalition of states seeking independence from both the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.

Transnational corporations (TNCs)

Firms operating across borders with global supply chains, influencing labor markets and economic integration.

Internet & information revolution

The rapid global spread of digital communications, significantly changing cultural diffusion and social movements.